Today it's rated as one of the world's great engineering feats. The Rideau Canal is 202 kilometres long with 45 locks, all built in only five years from 1826 to1832. Hundreds of workers died from malaria and injuries during the epic construction. It testifies to the iron willpower and vision of its architect, British Colonel John By that the canal was finished at all. But it had gone massively over-budget and By was recalled to England in disgrace. Today the Rideau is the longest working original canal on the continent and John By is acclaimed in Canada as a hero of his time.