Fifth-Annual Lock & Paddle Hits Peterborough Lift Lock This Saturday

Parks Canada’s fifth-annual Lock & Paddle event is welcoming back paddlers and spectators at the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

This year’s theme ‘Lift Your Spirits,’ invites paddlers and attendees to show us what makes them happy! Paddlers get to experience going down the Lift Locks and paddling through the canal. This free all-ages event invites anyone to decorate their vessel, wear a costume or have fun.

To participate, registrants can go apply online.

Beginners or those with accessibility needs can enter the waterway at the Visitor Centre on-site at the event. Canoes can be launched at the following places:

• Beavermead Campground - 2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough (Five-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Rogers Cove - 131 Maria Street, Peterborough (Five-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Millennium Park - 130 King Street, Peterborough (20-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Del Crary Park - 100 George Street, Peterborough (35-minute paddle to Lock 20)

• Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre - 353 Hunter Street East, Peterborough (Drop-off only)

There is no parking available at the Peterborough Lift Lock or Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre (except for vehicles with Handicapped Accessible signage). A paddle craft drop-off option is available at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre.

Parking options nearby

• Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters (2155 Ashburnham Dr.)

• Eastgate Memorial Park (2150 Ashburnham Dr.)

• Beavermead Campground (2011 Ashburnham Dr.)

• Rogers Cove (131 Maria St.)

This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free event that will happen rain or shine.  

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Parks Canada Invites the Community to Celebrate Canada Day With the Trent-Severn Waterway

This Canada Day, Parks Canada is welcoming visitors to celebrate the natural heritage of Canada on the Trent-Severn Waterway by offering free lockage for recreational boaters on July 1.

photo courtesy of parks canada.

As cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada is committed to providing visitors with high-quality and meaningful visitor experiences and supporting tourism in communities across the country.

They say that by encouraging Canadians to visit national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas and providing them with the information and means to enjoy them, Parks Canada enables more Canadians to learn about our shared heritage and experience the outdoors.

To make the most of their Parks Canada experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip in advance. Visit the Parks Canada website for more details.

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Government of Canada Invests $74 Million into Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced approximately $74 million in funding for projects related to infrastructure improvements along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.

Current rendering of the Whites Portage Dam. Originally constructed in 1918, the dam regulates the lake’s water level and outflow into Gloucester Pool. photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

On Wednesday, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault announced that the funding will be distributed over three years for this project.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is Canada's largest, and one of the most visited national historic sites. The waterway welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year.

The network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history and 450 000 kilmometres2 of stories from coast to coast to coast.

Investing in these locations is said to help support the protection of natural heritage and rich history, increase climate resiliency and create jobs in local communities, while providing visitors with high-quality, safe and meaningful experiences across the country.

“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the sustainability of Parks Canada assets. These national heritage places provide cultural, environmental and economic vitality for Canadians,” said Guilbeault. “Parks Canada’s robust dam and lock improvements along the iconic Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site will ensure critical flood mitigation for regional communities and provide for safe navigational experiences for Canadians to connect with nature.”

Rendering of the new Whites Portage Dam design, which will replace the existing dam in the same location and orientation. photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

Through this federal investment – part of the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022 – Parks Canada will conserve the heritage value of these important cultural resources.

The investments in infrastructure along the Trent-Severn Waterway will enhance Parks Canada’s ability to mitigate flood risks, protect heritage in Canada and strengthen the appeal of this world-class waterway as a destination for visitors and tourists.

Once these infrastructure projects are complete, the lifespan and function of these structures will have been extended for decades, continuing to connect and protect local communities. The work supported through this investment includes:

• repairs to the Kirkfield Lift Lock;

• recapitalization of the walls, tunnels and valves at Lock 42 – Couchiching;

• recapitalization of the Little Chute Dam “G” near Port Severn;

• replacement of the Whites Portage Dam on Six Mile Lake;

• recapitalization of the valve tunnels for Healey Falls Locks 16 and 17; and,

• creation of an access road from White’s Falls Road to the Pretty Channel Dam.
  Parks Canada has a mandate to conserve and present national heritage places in Canada. More than just supporting visitors as cornerstones of Canada’s tourism industry, Parks Canada’s assets play critical functions, such as transportation, water management, public safety, and services to residents and businesses, while being a source of shared pride for Canadians. These upgrades will help ensure public safety, quality and reliability for visitors, incorporate green technologies and climate resilience, while connecting Canadians with nature and history.

“From First Nations to fur traders to lumber barons and steamship traffic, the Waterway has linked communities across Ontario for over a hundred years. Investments in the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site’s infrastructure are essential for public safety, preserving natural and cultural heritage, ensuring environmental protection and conservation, and providing benefits for visitors, local communities and the nation’s tourism industry,” said Guilbeault.

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Construction At Scott Mills Damn Nearing Completion

The project to replace the Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 in Peterborough has reached a significant milestone: all work on the new dam below the waterline is now complete.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The remaining work includes the placement of decking and railings on the dam, log lifter rails on the remaining sluices, and wall work on the east bank of the river adjacent to the dam.

Following removal of the cofferdams and trestle bridge, grading and landscaping of the east access and construction laydown area will occur.

The remaining construction activities will involve using a vibration attachment to remove steel piles from the existing cofferdam and bridge structure and are expected to continue for the next few months. T

he grading and landscaping will involve large equipment movement on the east bank. These activities will generate higher levels of noise than experienced in recent months.

A reminder that heavy noise-generating activities will be limited to the following times:

• Monday – Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Parks Canada Offering Free Lockage On Trent Severn Waterway On Canada Day

Parks Canada is offering recreational boaters free lockage on the Trent-Severn Waterway, on Canada Day.

File Photo.

According to Parks Canada, this decision has been made in hopes to ‘celebrate the incredible beauty and natural heritage of Canada’.

The Parks Canada website www.parkscanada.gc.ca/trent provides detailed information on what locations are open, what visitors can expect, how to prepare for a visit and what services may be available. Visitors are asked to plan ahead by checking the website before they visit.

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Trent Severn Waterway Re-opens For Daytime Navigation After Significant Precipitation Caused Closures

Parks Canada announces that conditions are favourable to allow for the re-opening of the Trent-Severn Waterway for daytime navigation starting at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

Since June 1 the Trent-Severn’s watersheds have received significant amounts of precipitation, prompting Parks Canada to close some lock stations in the interest of public safety.

For residents and boaters along the Severn River, flows will continue to increase outside of navigation hours until further notice.  The public should consider these overnight flows as non-navigable.

The increased flows overnight are the result of water management dam adjustments to address the higher than normal water levels caused by the recent precipitation.

While water levels and flows are on the decline, residents and visitors should continue to exercise extreme caution both on and around the water. All boaters are strongly encouraged to lower their speed to limit their wash and wake.

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Trent-Severn Waterway Partially Closed Due to High Water Levels and Flows This Friday

Parks Canada is partially closing navigation of the Trent-Severn Waterway due to high water levels and flows starting Friday until further notice.

File Photo.

Over the past 15 days, Trent-Severn’s watersheds have received significant amounts of precipitation, equal to no more than double the normal amount expected. Parks Canada advises anyone to exercise extreme caution near the water.

The list of stations that are open and closed during the partial closure occurring on Friday. Updates are provided regularly. Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

This partial closure is meant to protect boater safety and help to prevent shoreline erosion and property damage experienced by local residents and businesses according to Parks Canada. They recommended all boaters lower their speeds and watch their wake.

Residents around Lock 19 – Scotts Mills will see a controlled breach of the construction site at the dam over the weekend to aid in the movement of water down the Otonabee River. The breach is not a danger to public safety.

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High Water On the Severn, Trent and Otonabee Rivers Warns Parks Canada

Expect higher-than-normal water levels and flows on the Severn, Trent and Otonabee Rivers during navigation hours until further notice from Parks Canada announced on Thursday night.

File Photo.

Flows will increase outside of navigation hours at Lock 1 - Trenton to Lock 27 – Young’s Point as of Thursday until further notice. These flows are considered non-navigable according to Parks Canada.

The increased flows overnight are the result of water management dam adjustments to address the higher than normal water levels caused by the recent precipitation.

Over the past week, the watersheds have received 50 - 100 mm of rain which significantly exceeds the normal precipitation in June. The last 25 days have seen precipitation values in excess of 50-75 per cent above normal.

Residents and visitors should exercise extreme caution around and on the water.

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Trent-Severn Waterway Will Open In Time For Long Weekend

The Trent-Severn Waterway will open on Friday, just in time for the Victoria Day long weekend.

File Photo.

For the last two years, the opening of the Trent-Severn Waterway has been delayed due to COVID-19.

Lockstations will be open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Friday to Monday.

After Monday, until June 19, lockstations will be open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday - Thursday. From Friday - Sunday they will be open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

From June 20 to September 5 they will be open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

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Trent Severn Lockage And Mooring Permits On Sale Until March 31

Parks Canada is offering discounted prices to boaters that purchase their lockage and mooring permits before March 31.

File Photo.

Those that wish to travel through the Trent Severn Waterway this year must purchase a 2022 Lockage and/or Mooring Permit.

Permits are priced dependent on the footage of the boat.

A lockage and mooring package, which Includes one seasonal lockage and one seasonal mooring permit for the same boat will cost $17 per foot. If purchased after March 31 it will cost $20 per foot.

A seasonal lockage permit can be purchased for $7.60 per foot until March 31, $9.50 per foot after that. A seasonal lockage permit for a canoe or kayak is available for $4.75 per foot until March 31, or $9.50 after that.

To purchase permits visit ParksCanada.ca.

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