About the Trent-Severn Waterway
Learn more about this National Historic Site of Canada
The Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada
The Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada, which opened in 1922, was originally designed to connect Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay. Today, Parks Canada maintains and operates this lock system, which serves as a popular destination for recreational boaters and paddlers. The waterway is also home to several vibrant communities, including the Trent-Severn Trail Towns. Additionally, Parks Canada manages the dams adjacent to the locks, playing a crucial role in regulating water levels throughout the watershed, from the Haliburton Highlands to Lake Ontario.
What makes the Trent-Severn Waterway truly special is its unique location and diverse landscapes. From the sandy shores of Lake Ontario and the lakes in the St. Lawrence Lowlands to the rugged, rocky islands of the Canadian Shield, the natural beauty and wildlife along the route are breathtaking. While the Rideau Canal may boast a longer history, the Trent-Severn Waterway offers some of the most stunning and picturesque landscapes in Ontario.
How to Navigate the Trent-Severn Waterway
There are many things to look out for while on the waterway. Just like on roadways, there are rules, regulations, and signage on the waterway.
To help you navigate, you can purchase maps known as navigation charts. However, many boaters prefer subscribing to Navionics, an app you can download to your phone that provides detailed information about your location on the waterway. It will also display buoys and beacons, water depth, and potential areas of danger. Using charts or apps along with your eyes will ensure smoother boating.
The signage on waterways are called navigational aids.
You’ll need to watch out for speed limit signs posted in km/h.
There are also no-wake signs, where you must reduce your speed to avoid creating a wake. These zones are typically in areas with narrow channels, other boats, swimmers, or docks. In these zones, slow down and stay close to the shore.
While traveling the Trent-Severn Waterway, you’ll become an expert at spotting day beacons and buoys. Binoculars are very useful! These beacons and buoys help you stay in the channel and avoid dangers like large rocks.
Green buoys or beacons mark the port (left) side of a channel or indicate the location of danger. They should appear on your port side when boating upstream.
Red buoys or beacons mark the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of danger. They should appear on your starboard side when boating upstream.
How do you know if you’re traveling upstream or downstream? If the water in the lock is rising, you’re traveling upstream. Or you can think of it this way: are you traveling towards or away from Coboconk? Coboconk is Ontario’s freshwater summit.
OR you can remember this – Red buoys on your right when going upstream.
You can find more details about navigational aids here.
How to Lock Through a Lock
Driving your boat or personal watercraft through a lock for the first time can feel daunting especially with people and other boaters around watching however it’s quite simple by following some basic steps. Also know that the friendly Parks Canada staff are there to help you out. Some lock stations will even give you instructions on a PA system well before you enter the lock.
There may be a line of to get in a lock so make sure you are lined up on the blue line or waiting behind the lock wall for instructions.
Parks Canada outlines the four basic steps of locking through as:
- Approaching the lock
- Entering the lock
- Inside the Lock Chamber
- Exiting the Lock
You can find the detailed instructions on Parks Canada’s website however, we’ll give you a brief overview.
Approaching the Lock
Slow your boat down to a no-wake speed.
Keep the channel near the lock gates clear to allow boats departing the lock a safe passage.
When you want to enter a lock, line up on the blue-painted wall. The blue line is the temporary holding area for boats wishing to enter the lock. Lining up on the blue line signals ls to the lock staff that you would like to enter.
Lock staff may see you approaching and direct you where to wait.
Please be patient if lock staff are not ready to lock you through immediately. They do their best to coordinate upbound and downbound lockages and may have water management duties at nearby dams as a first priority.
If you need to pay for your lock pass, advise the lock staff. They can either come to you with their point-of-sale system or ask you to park your boat after locking through and walk up to the lock station to pay.
There are various types of lock passes from a single lockage and return to a 6-day lockage up to seasonal lockage. You can find more information about lock passes and permits here.
Entering the Lock
When the lock gates open, boats already inside the lock will depart first. Once the lock is clear, lock staff will advise you when to enter. They may communicate verbally, with hand signals, or over a PA system.
Locks also have traffic lights—when the light is green, you may enter. However, always follow the instructions of the lock staff, as they are experts at organizing boats like a game of Tetris! They may ask larger boats to enter first or last, depending on the situation.
Enter the lock slowly. Lock staff will direct you to the appropriate cable. Have someone on your boat ready to loop your lines around the cable—never tie them off! Simply loop the rope loosely and have someone hold it the entire time you are in the lock.
The water level will either rise or fall depending on your direction of travel. Pay close attention to your lines and ensure your boat isn’t drifting. Also, stay alert and follow any instructions from the lock staff while in the lock.
Inside the Lock chamber
Never leave your bow or stern lines unattended Turn off all ignition switches (engine, generators, etc.). Do not restart or idle your engine during the lockage procedure. Turn off all open-flame appliances, including pilot lights, gas-powered generators, and barbeques. Do not smoke above or below the vessel deck. Leave the bilge blower on throughout the lockage procedure.Exiting the Lock
When the lock has finished rising or lowering, wait for lock staff instructions before restarting your engine. Exiting the lock is generally directed by lock staff, so wait for their instructions. Be cautious of winds, currents, and other boats while exiting, and take your time.