Navigation on the Ottawa River is intimately linked to the history of L’Orignal and its surrounding region.
The landing dock, built in 1856 by engineer William Lendrum, was extended 1,300 feet (396.24 m) in 1861. This was the longest wharf between Ottawa and Montreal. L’Orignal became a maritime port where ships could moor and take on or deliver passengers and merchandise. A stagecoach would carry the passengers to the railway station on Longueuil Street, where they would continue by train to the Grand Hotel in Caledonia Springs, a few kilometres southwest of the village.
The wharf was demolished in 1940 and the last vestiges such as the posts and the stone wharf were blasted in 1962 during the construction of the Carillon dam.
Riverest Marina now operates a Marina at the site, very popular with pleasure-craft owners and fishing enthusiasts.