Geography of Ottawa

This is the outline of the geography of the city of Ottawa, the capital of Canada. Ottawa's current borders were formed in 2001, when the former city of Ottawa amalgamated with the ten other municipalities within the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa–Carleton. Ottawa is now a single-tiered census division, home to 1,017,449 people.[1]

National Capital Region by SPOT Satellite in 2003

The city centre is located at the confluence of the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers. The Ottawa River forms the entire northern boundary of the city which it shares with the province of Quebec's municipalities of Pontiac and Gatineau. The northern boundary begins in the west at Arnprior and continues east to Rockland. The boundary then turns south in a straight line, separating the former Township of Cumberland (now in Ottawa) and the City of Clarence-Rockland. It then turns west in another straight line separating the former Township of Cumberland with the municipalities of The Nation and Russell. It then turns south separating Russell from the former Township of Osgoode (now in Ottawa). That boundary runs south in a straight line, then turns west separating Osgoode from the municipality of North Dundas. That boundary runs west in a straight line before turning north separating Osgoode from the municipality of North Grenville. This is another straight line, running north until the Rideau River near Kemptville. The boundary follows the river upstream until almost reaching Merrickville. The boundary then runs in a northwest direction in a straight line with a number of jogs. It separates the municipalities of Montague, Beckwith and Mississippi Mills from the former townships of Marlborough, Goulbourn, Huntley and Fitzroy.

Topography

The highest point in Ottawa is 166 m (545 ft) above sea level, and is located 2.6 km (1.6 mi) SSE of Manion Corners (45°14′05″N 76°03′03″W).[2] The lowest point in the city is the Ottawa River, at 44 m (144 ft) above sea level.

Highest points by ward
Map of Ottawa showing urban area, highways, waterways, and historic townships
WardHighest pointElevation (approx.)
West Carleton-March Ward2.6 km (1.6 mi) SSE of Manion Corners166 m (545 ft)
Rideau-Goulbourn Ward8 km (5.0 mi) N of Munster on Jinkinson Road153 m (502 ft)
Kanata South WardGlen Cairn Reservoir131 m (430 ft)
College WardKhymer Court129 m (423 ft)
Stittsville WardRockson Crescent128 m (420 ft)
Kanata North WardHuntsville Drive126 m (413 ft)
Osgoode Ward1 km (0.62 mi) SE of Bank Street at Rideau Road120 m (390 ft)
Cumberland WardCumberland Ridge Drive120 m (390 ft)
Barrhaven WardCedarview Road120 m (390 ft)
Gloucester-Southgate WardTom Roberts Avenue119 m (390 ft)
Knoxdale-Merivale WardCedarview Road at Cedarhill Drive115 m (377 ft)
River WardCarlington Hill115 m (377 ft)
Bay WardWesley Clover Parks114 m (374 ft)
Gloucester-South Nepean WardOsgoode Link Pathway at High Road114 m (374 ft)
Innes Ward200 m (660 ft) WSW of Forest Ridge Pumping Station114 m (374 ft)
Beacon Hill-Cyrville WardQuarry Park113 m (371 ft)
Rideau-Rockcliffe WardFoxview Place106 m (348 ft)
Alta Vista WardAlta Vista Drive at Randall Avenue102 m (335 ft)
Capital WardBank Street at Alta Vista Drive96 m (315 ft)
Orléans WardClearcrest Crescent93 m (305 ft)
Kitchissippi WardMaitland Avenue Bridge89 m (292 ft)
Somerset WardParliament Hill86 m (282 ft)
Rideau-Vanier WardRichelieu Park75 m (246 ft)

Geology
Stromatolite strata near Champlain Bridge
Mer Bleue bog
Burnt Lands Alvar

Many features of geologic interest are found in Ottawa.[3]

SiteFeature
W. Erskine Johnston Public School Glacially sculpted Precambrian gneiss outcrops
Kanata Centrum Shopping CentreSandstone and dolomite outcrops
Stony Swamp Conservation AreaCambrian-Ordovician sandstone strata
Champlain BridgeStromatolite fossils
Westboro BeachStromatolite, orthocone and trace fossils
Transitway at Roosevelt AvenueStromatolite fossils
Tunney's PastureCross-section of the Gloucester Fault
Geological Survey of CanadaFossiliferous limestone outcrop
Hog's Back FallsOrdovician sedimentary rocks and the Gloucester Fault
Mer Bleue BogBoreal peatland
Victoria IslandDune bedforms and fossiliferous limestone
Lady Grey DriveOrdovician limestone deposits
Pinhey's PointGlacial erratics
Petrie IslandSedimentary shoreline with imported Ordovician blocks
Carp HillsOutcrops of the Canadian Shield
Pinhey Sand DunesDunes from an ancient shoreline of the Champlain Sea
Cardinal Creek KarstPaleozoic karst
Burnt Lands Alvar Limestone alvar
Colonel By Valley Shallow valley that descends into the Ottawa River
Nanny Goat Hill Steep limestone escarpment

Climate

Classification
Ottawa Climate according to major climate systems
Climatic scheme Initials Description
Köppen system[4][5] Dfb Warm-summer humid continental climate
Trewartha system[6] Dcb Continental climate

Recent data
Climate data for Ottawa (Central Experimental Farm), elevation: 79.2 m (260 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1872–present[lower-alpha 1]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.6
(60.1)		 12.7
(54.9)		 26.7
(80.1)		 31.2
(88.2)		 35.2
(95.4)		 36.7
(98.1)		 37.8
(100.0)		 37.8
(100.0)		 36.7
(98.1)		 29.4
(84.9)		 23.3
(73.9)		 17.2
(63.0)		 37.8
(100.0)
Average high °C (°F) −5.8
(21.6)		 −3.1
(26.4)		 2.4
(36.3)		 11.4
(52.5)		 19.0
(66.2)		 24.1
(75.4)		 26.6
(79.9)		 25.4
(77.7)		 20.5
(68.9)		 12.8
(55.0)		 5.5
(41.9)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 11.4
(52.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.2
(13.6)		 −7.9
(17.8)		 −2.2
(28.0)		 6.5
(43.7)		 13.5
(56.3)		 18.7
(65.7)		 21.2
(70.2)		 19.9
(67.8)		 15.3
(59.5)		 8.4
(47.1)		 2.0
(35.6)		 −5.6
(21.9)		 6.6
(43.9)
Average low °C (°F) −14.4
(6.1)		 −12.5
(9.5)		 −6.8
(19.8)		 1.5
(34.7)		 8.0
(46.4)		 13.3
(55.9)		 15.7
(60.3)		 14.5
(58.1)		 10.1
(50.2)		 4.0
(39.2)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 −9.2
(15.4)		 1.9
(35.4)
Record low °C (°F) −37.8
(−36.0)		 −38.3
(−36.9)		 −36.7
(−34.1)		 −20.6
(−5.1)		 −7.2
(19.0)		 0.0
(32.0)		 3.3
(37.9)		 1.1
(34.0)		 −4.4
(24.1)		 −12.8
(9.0)		 −30.6
(−23.1)		 −38.9
(−38.0)		 −38.9
(−38.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 62.9
(2.48)		 49.7
(1.96)		 57.5
(2.26)		 71.1
(2.80)		 86.6
(3.41)		 92.7
(3.65)		 84.4
(3.32)		 83.8
(3.30)		 92.7
(3.65)		 85.9
(3.38)		 82.7
(3.26)		 69.5
(2.74)		 919.5
(36.20)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 23.0
(0.91)		 17.9
(0.70)		 28.8
(1.13)		 63.2
(2.49)		 86.6
(3.41)		 92.7
(3.65)		 84.4
(3.32)		 83.8
(3.30)		 92.7
(3.65)		 83.1
(3.27)		 67.5
(2.66)		 31.9
(1.26)		 755.5
(29.74)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 44.3
(17.4)		 34.7
(13.7)		 29.1
(11.5)		 7.2
(2.8)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 2.9
(1.1)		 16.0
(6.3)		 41.3
(16.3)		 175.4
(69.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 16.0 11.7 11.5 13.2 14.5 12.4 11.6 11.2 12.9 14.9 15.2 15.6 160.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 3.7 3.5 5.5 11.5 14.4 12.4 11.6 11.2 12.9 14.6 11.6 5.5 118.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 14.1 9.7 7.4 2.7 0.08 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.81 5.1 12.2 52.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 99.3 131.3 167.1 189.8 229.8 254.2 279.0 249.3 177.6 139.4 84.3 82.6 2,083.7
Percent possible sunshine 35.0 44.9 45.3 46.9 49.9 54.3 58.9 57.1 47.1 41.0 29.4 30.3 45.0
Average ultraviolet index 1 2 3 5 6 8 7 7 5 3 1 1 4
Source: Environment Canada[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] and Weather Atlas[16]
Climate data for Ottawa (Ottawa International Airport), elevation: 114 m (374 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1938–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 13.9 15.1 30.0 35.1 41.8 44.0 47.2 47.0 42.5 33.9 26.1 18.4 47.2
Record high °C (°F) 12.9
(55.2)		 12.4
(54.3)		 27.4
(81.3)		 31.1
(88.0)		 35.8
(96.4)		 36.1
(97.0)		 36.7
(98.1)		 37.8
(100.0)		 35.1
(95.2)		 27.8
(82.0)		 23.9
(75.0)		 17.9
(64.2)		 37.8
(100.0)
Average high °C (°F) −5.8
(21.6)		 −3.4
(25.9)		 2.5
(36.5)		 11.6
(52.9)		 19.0
(66.2)		 24.1
(75.4)		 26.5
(79.7)		 25.3
(77.5)		 20.4
(68.7)		 12.7
(54.9)		 5.4
(41.7)		 −2.3
(27.9)		 11.3
(52.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.3
(13.5)		 −8.1
(17.4)		 −2.3
(27.9)		 6.3
(43.3)		 13.3
(55.9)		 18.5
(65.3)		 21.0
(69.8)		 19.8
(67.6)		 15.0
(59.0)		 8.0
(46.4)		 1.5
(34.7)		 −6.2
(20.8)		 6.4
(43.5)
Average low °C (°F) −14.8
(5.4)		 −12.7
(9.1)		 −7.0
(19.4)		 1.0
(33.8)		 7.5
(45.5)		 12.9
(55.2)		 15.5
(59.9)		 14.3
(57.7)		 9.6
(49.3)		 3.3
(37.9)		 −2.4
(27.7)		 −10.1
(13.8)		 1.4
(34.5)
Record low °C (°F) −35.6
(−32.1)		 −36.1
(−33.0)		 −30.6
(−23.1)		 −16.7
(1.9)		 −5.6
(21.9)		 −0.1
(31.8)		 5.0
(41.0)		 2.6
(36.7)		 −3.0
(26.6)		 −8.0
(17.6)		 −21.7
(−7.1)		 −34.4
(−29.9)		 −36.1
(−33.0)
Record low wind chill −47.8 −47.6 −42.7 −26.3 −10.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 −6.4 −13.3 −29.5 −44.6 −47.8
Average precipitation mm (inches) 65.4
(2.57)		 54.3
(2.14)		 64.4
(2.54)		 74.5
(2.93)		 80.3
(3.16)		 92.8
(3.65)		 91.9
(3.62)		 85.5
(3.37)		 90.1
(3.55)		 86.1
(3.39)		 81.9
(3.22)		 76.4
(3.01)		 943.4
(37.14)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 25.0
(0.98)		 18.7
(0.74)		 31.1
(1.22)		 63.0
(2.48)		 80.1
(3.15)		 92.8
(3.65)		 91.9
(3.62)		 85.5
(3.37)		 90.1
(3.55)		 82.2
(3.24)		 64.5
(2.54)		 33.5
(1.32)		 758.2
(29.85)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 53.9
(21.2)		 43.3
(17.0)		 38.3
(15.1)		 11.3
(4.4)		 0.2
(0.1)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 3.7
(1.5)		 20.2
(8.0)		 52.5
(20.7)		 223.5
(88.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 16.6 13.1 12.7 12.4 13.4 13.2 11.9 11.0 12.3 14.3 15.2 17.4 163.6
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 4.4 3.9 6.7 10.9 13.4 13.2 11.9 11.0 12.3 13.7 11.0 6.0 118.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 16.1 12.1 8.8 3.5 0.17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 6.8 14.7 63.3
Average relative humidity (%) 67.5 61.3 56.6 50.2 49.9 53.1 53.7 55.0 59.1 61.6 68.1 72.2 59.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 122.4 114.1 168.5 187.5 210.5 274.0 301.4 231.9 211.5 148.8 92.4 68.8 2,131.7
Percent possible sunshine 43.1 39.0 45.7 46.3 45.7 58.6 63.7 53.1 56.1 43.7 32.2 25.2 46.0
Source: Environment Canada[17][18][19][20][21][22]

Notes
  1. Extreme high and low temperatures in the table below were recorded at Ottawa from March 1872 to October 1889 and at Ottawa CDA from November 1889 to present.

Historical data
Climate data for Ottawa (Central Experimental Farm), elevation: 79 m (259 ft), 1961-1990 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) −6.4
(20.5)		 −4.5
(23.9)		 1.8
(35.2)		 10.8
(51.4)		 18.6
(65.5)		 23.6
(74.5)		 26.4
(79.5)		 24.7
(76.5)		 19.7
(67.5)		 12.8
(55.0)		 4.8
(40.6)		 −3.6
(25.5)		 10.7
(51.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.7
(12.7)		 −9.2
(15.4)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 5.9
(42.6)		 13.0
(55.4)		 18.1
(64.6)		 20.8
(69.4)		 19.4
(66.9)		 14.7
(58.5)		 8.3
(46.9)		 1.5
(34.7)		 −7.2
(19.0)		 6.0
(42.8)
Average low °C (°F) −15.1
(4.8)		 −14.0
(6.8)		 −7.1
(19.2)		 0.9
(33.6)		 7.3
(45.1)		 12.5
(54.5)		 15.3
(59.5)		 14.1
(57.4)		 9.6
(49.3)		 3.8
(38.8)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 −11.0
(12.2)		 1.2
(34.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 50.8
(2.00)		 49.7
(1.96)		 56.6
(2.23)		 64.8
(2.55)		 76.8
(3.02)		 84.3
(3.32)		 86.5
(3.41)		 87.8
(3.46)		 83.6
(3.29)		 74.7
(2.94)		 81.0
(3.19)		 72.9
(2.87)		 869.5
(34.24)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 14.1
(0.56)		 14.7
(0.58)		 30.0
(1.18)		 57.8
(2.28)		 76.2
(3.00)		 84.3
(3.32)		 86.5
(3.41)		 87.8
(3.46)		 83.6
(3.29)		 71.8
(2.83)		 64.1
(2.52)		 29.5
(1.16)		 700.4
(27.59)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 46.1
(18.1)		 41.0
(16.1)		 27.2
(10.7)		 6.7
(2.6)		 0.6
(0.2)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 2.9
(1.1)		 19.1
(7.5)		 53.9
(21.2)		 197.5
(77.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 15 12 12 12 13 13 12 12 13 13 15 16 158
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 3 3 6 11 13 13 12 12 13 13 11 5 115
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 14 11 7 2 trace 0 0 0 0 trace 5 14 53
Mean monthly sunshine hours 103.4 129.2 158.7 188.1 232.5 253.0 279.0 240.5 170.0 137.9 81.9 80.1 2,054.3
Source: Environment Canada[23]
Climate data for Ottawa (Ottawa International Airport), elevation: 116 m (381 ft), 1938-1990 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) −6.3
(20.7)		 −4.6
(23.7)		 1.8
(35.2)		 10.8
(51.4)		 18.6
(65.5)		 23.6
(74.5)		 26.4
(79.5)		 24.6
(76.3)		 19.6
(67.3)		 12.8
(55.0)		 4.7
(40.5)		 −3.7
(25.3)		 10.7
(51.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.8
(12.6)		 −9.2
(15.4)		 −2.7
(27.1)		 5.6
(42.1)		 12.8
(55.0)		 17.9
(64.2)		 20.8
(69.4)		 19.2
(66.6)		 14.3
(57.7)		 7.9
(46.2)		 1.0
(33.8)		 −7.6
(18.3)		 5.8
(42.4)
Average low °C (°F) −15.5
(4.1)		 −14.0
(6.8)		 −7.3
(18.9)		 0.3
(32.5)		 7.1
(44.8)		 12.2
(54.0)		 15.1
(59.2)		 13.7
(56.7)		 8.9
(48.0)		 3.0
(37.4)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 −11.7
(10.9)		 0.8
(33.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 58.0
(2.28)		 58.6
(2.31)		 64.8
(2.55)		 69.0
(2.72)		 76.4
(3.01)		 76.9
(3.03)		 88.1
(3.47)		 92.0
(3.62)		 82.9
(3.26)		 74.8
(2.94)		 86.4
(3.40)		 82.5
(3.25)		 910.4
(35.84)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 15.3
(0.60)		 16.4
(0.65)		 32.0
(1.26)		 58.0
(2.28)		 74.8
(2.94)		 76.9
(3.03)		 88.1
(3.47)		 92.0
(3.62)		 82.9
(3.26)		 70.3
(2.77)		 62.5
(2.46)		 32.6
(1.28)		 701.8
(27.62)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 49.6
(19.5)		 45.2
(17.8)		 32.3
(12.7)		 9.1
(3.6)		 1.2
(0.5)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 4.1
(1.6)		 24.2
(9.5)		 55.8
(22.0)		 221.5
(87.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 16 13 13 12 13 12 11 11 12 13 16 18 160
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 3 3 7 10 12 12 11 11 12 12 11 6 110
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 15 12 9 3 trace 0 0 0 0 1 8 16 64
Average relative humidity (%) 71 68 66 61 61 66 67 71 74 73 77 77 69
Source: Environment Canada[24]

Rivers and creeks
The Mississippi River.
The Rideau River is one of the two main rivers in Ottawa
The Ottawa River outside of Parliament Hill.

Tributaries of the Ottawa River (from east to west):

The Jock River

Tributaries of the Rideau River (from north to south):

Other rivers and creeks within City of Ottawa:

Features of the Ottawa River
Kìwekì Point
Chaudière Falls

(from east to west)

Features of the Rideau River
Rideau Falls

(from north to south)

Waterfalls

Lakes
Brewer Park Pond

References
  1. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (9 February 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  2. Ottawa High Point, Ontario
  3. "Ottawa-Gatineau Geoheritage". Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  4. "Ottawa, Ontario Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  5. Muller, M. J. (2012-12-06). Selected climatic data for a global set of standard stations for vegetation science. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9789400980402.
  6. "Report from Task 4 of MEWS Project - Task 4-Environmental Conditions Final Report". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  7. "Ottawa CDA". Environment Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  8. "Daily Data Report for May 2010". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  9. "Daily Data Report for January 1874". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  10. "Daily Data Report for November 1875". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  11. "Daily Data Report for August 1884". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  12. "Daily Data Report for February 2011". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  13. "Daily Data Report for March 2012". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  14. "Daily Data Report for December 2012". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  15. "Daily Data Report for February 2017". Environment Canada. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  16. "Ottawa, Canada - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  17. "Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 Station Data: Ottawa, Ontario". Environment Canada. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  18. "1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals". Environment Canada. 2 July 2013. Climate ID: 6106000. Archived from the original on 2020-07-18. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  19. "Daily Data Report for October 2015". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Climate ID: 6106000. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  20. "Daily Data Report for March 2012". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Climate ID: 6106000. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  21. "Daily Data Report for December 2012". Environment Canada. 22 September 2015. Climate ID: 6106000. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  22. "Electricity use to hit highest in years this week in Ontario". The Weather Network. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  23. "Canadian Climate Normals 1961-1990 Station Data Ottawa CDA". Environment Canada. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  24. "Canadian Climate Normals 1961-1990 Station Data Ottawa International Airport". Environment Canada. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
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