Great Waterways — The Great Waterways Story Project

The Vision

More than signage — a landmark at every lock.

The Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the Trent–Severn Waterway together form one of the world's great historic navigation corridors. Interpretive installations can do more than provide information: done well, they spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and create lasting memories.

A family viewing a carved heritage interpretive sign beside a lock station — “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” — Haudenosaunee proverb

Recognizable

Memorable landmark design that visitors stop to see, photograph, and share.

Engaging

Stories, audio, and activities that connect people to our shared heritage.

Built to Last

Durable materials and updatable content designed for decades of service.

The Concept

One installation, three layers of storytelling.

Concept rendering of a freestanding carved interpretive sign at a lock station — Freestanding installation with corrosion-resistant steel mounting — accessible, durable, and designed to suit its setting.

Museum-Quality Carved Artwork

High-relief, three-dimensional carving — a unique work of art for each lock station, depicting its lock, landmarks, wildlife, and the people behind the waterway.

Replaceable Interpretive Panel

A durable engraving-laminate panel presents history, engineering, maps, and visitor information — and can be updated without touching the artwork.

Digital Experience by QR Code

A QR code connects visitors to an evolving digital layer of stories, audio, and activities — hosted right here at greatwaterways.org.

The First Prototype

Jones Falls — Lock 21, Rideau Canal. Est. 1832.

The concept begins where the canal's story runs deepest. The Jones Falls prototype honours Colonel John By and the engineers and workers who built the canal — rendered in deep-relief carving, 48 inches wide, built for Canadian weather.

Concept rendering of the Jones Falls carved interpretive sign — Concept rendering for discussion purposes — not an official Parks Canada design.

Carved lock gate detail — Carved depth & detail

Carved heron detail — Wildlife & environment

Carved portrait of Colonel John By — The people behind the canal

Carved Lock 21 lettering — Heritage lettering

Phone showing the Jones Falls digital experience

The Digital Experience

Scan the sign. The story keeps going.

Every lock station gets its own living page — independent of the physical sign, so the experience can grow and evolve for years.

Stories & Photos

Historical articles, archival images, and maps for every lock.

Audio Narration

Listen to the story of each site while standing in front of it.

Children's Activities

Scavenger hunts and games that inspire the next generation.

Accessibility

Large-text and audio-described content, mobile-friendly design.

English & French

Bilingual content available with a single tap.

AI GuideFUTURE

An interactive guide that answers questions about each lock.

The Waterways

Beginning on the Trent–Rideau. Built to grow.

A common design language with room for local character — every lock, its own story. Proven in Ontario, the framework can one day extend across North America's great waterways.

Concept lineup of carved signs for Locks 22 through 25 — Concept lineup — a shared structure, unique artwork at every station.

First

Rideau Canal

UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home of the Jones Falls prototype.

Trent–Severn Waterway

Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay, lock by lock.

Someday

Erie Canal

The waterway that opened a continent.

Someday

Hudson River

Gateway between the Atlantic and the Great Lakes.

Someday

Great Lakes

The freshwater heart of North America.

Someday

Tennessee River

Locks, dams, and the stories of the valley.

Someday

Gulf Coast

Working waterways of the American South.

Someday

Intracoastal Waterway

Three thousand miles of connected stories.

About the Founder

Richard Sommer

I'm an Ontario educator, craftsman, and lifelong boater with a deep appreciation for Canada's historic waterways. After recently cruising the Rideau Canal with my family, I began developing the idea that became The Great Waterways Story Project.

25+ years as an educator and school leader — a lifetime of building learning experiences that stick.
Woodworker and CNC artist — specializing in dimensional carved signage with heritage character.
Lifelong boater — first-hand knowledge of the Rideau and Trent–Severn, lock by lock.
Craftsmanship you can stand behind — committed to quality, durability, and meaningful design.

“I would be honoured to contribute to the stewardship and celebration of these extraordinary national treasures.”

Next Step

Let's tell these stories — together.

Whether you're with a parks agency, a waterway community, or a heritage organization — I'd welcome the conversation. If the concept is a good fit, I'd be pleased to develop a full-scale prototype for evaluation.

rgsommer@me.com

Phone

(905) 906-6643

Location

Waterdown, Ontario, Canada