Water levels cause minor Canal chalet damage

One of seven brand new $750,000 chalets on the Rideau Canal has suffered small water damage due to rising water levels.

The National Capital Commission confirmed levels rose higher than they expected, which could lead to the Rideau Canal beingdrained or the chalet being propped up higher.

The seven chalets cost about $5 million in total and were installed last weekend.

After an interview with the NCC, CBC News discovered a chalet near Fifth Avenue had water above its outer deck.

Christopher Ladouceur, who is an executive assistant with Beavertails, said he was called in Wednesday morning to deal with water damage to the company's booths near Fifth and Bronson avenues.

As he worked, Ladouceur also said he found one of the chalets looked to have sufferedsome minor water damage.

"A bit of water damage at the front," he described, "They're brand new and should be fairly waterproof but we can't tell you right now [how bad]."

Rising Canal levels not seen in decade, says worker

The Beavertails booths look to have suffered worse damage, said Ladouceur, who remembers a similar issue happening more than a decade ago. Beavertails had to prop up the booths to deal with rising water levels.

"All of the booths at Bronson and [Fifth Avenue] are falling apart because the water went too high this morning," Ladouceur said, adding he hoped major repairs were not needed.

The NCC said there was little water damage at the frontbut the new structures are built solid.

"These are lightweight buildings that are unique," said NCC spokeswoman Kathryn Keays, "We were seeking a 35-year life cycle and a structure that would be robust enough to accommodate the thousands who visit."