Trent-Severn Waterway

The first lock was built in 1833 and connected a number of lakes and rivers. It was first proposed as a military route but later determined would not be fast enough to move men and equipment. Several years later it was felt that such a system would open up trade between eastern Canada and the western areas of Georgian Bay and the North Channel (not the same North Channel as in Europe). So construction began in 1880 and the section between Peterborough to Lake Simcoe was finished in 1904. Construction stopped during WWI and resumed after the war. Today the waterway stretches 240 miles from Trenton, ON, the eastern end of Lake Ontario to Port Severn, ON on Georgian Bay and connecting to the Great Lakes. There are 42 locks, 2 lift locks and 1 marine railway. From Trenton to Balsam Lake the waterway will lift us up 600 feet and by the time we get to Georgian Bay will drop us down 263 feet.

This segment of the Great loop is considered by most Loopers to be the most interesting in the 6000 mile journey. All of the locks are staffed by a team of 2 or 3 lock people both men and women mostly college students, as the waterway is only operational during the summer season. Most of the locks still operate as they did 100 years ago. The doors are opened and closed by turning, by hand, big cranks and if you want to assist, by all means lend a hand. All the staff work hard and are very personable. As they walk from one end of the lock where they just closed the doors behind the boats, to the other end where they operate the valves to flood or drain the chamber they always stop and talk with all the people on the boats; where are you from, share information on the locks ahead, even willing to push our bow off the lock wall when its time to move out of the lock.

Ok....some information on the waterway, we bought a pass for a one-way passage north bound. There is a speed limit of 10 kilometer or about 6 mph. For us this means we are at dead idle speed. There are only a few open lakes when we are able to get up to cruising speed of 16-17 knots. Most all the locks offer docking either before you enter the lock or just as you exit the lock. This is referred to as mooring on the lock wall. Each lock has these walls so if you have to wait for another boat to lock thru before you or there is a boat coming downstream you have a place to tie up on a temporary bases until the lock is ready to except you. This is referred to as tying to the "Blue Line". A section of the wall painted blue that signifies to the lock staff you are waiting to lock thru. Other sections of the wall are not painted and this would be for anyone, first come first served, to tie up for the night. Some lock walls have a 2 night maximum stay. There is a fee of .90 cents (Canadian) per foot, plus maybe $9.00 for electric if available. Only a few of the lock have power however most offer a nice park like setting with shade trees, picnic tables and grills.