Supporting informed decision making to improve resilience of the Rideau Canal Skateway to climate change effects

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Every winter since 1971, the National Capital Commission (NCC) has turned the frozen Rideau Canal into the world's largest skating rink. The Rideau Canal Skateway is a 7.8-km ice path winding through Ottawa, the capital of Canada. The canal itself is a National Historic Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recent studies predict that, by 2050, winters in Ottawa will be five weeks shorter, with 35% fewer days below -10 °C. Such changes will have serious impacts on the Rideau Canal Skateway. The NCC and Carleton University are teaming up to look for solutions. This study will do the following:(1) improve the knowledge base on local weather, ice thickness and snow cover;(2) assess the Skateway's vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change (e.g. start of the skating season, ice thickness); and(3) provide knowledge for the NCC to make informed decisions on building resilience and mitigating climate change effects on the Skateway.