Wed. June 25    0830/1400

29 miles           Fenelon Falls (lock 34) to Thorah (lock 40)

Half of our cruise today took us through 3 lakes (Balsam, Mitchell, and Canal). Balsam Lake is more than 840 ft. above sea level and is the highest point on the Trent Severn. From this point the Trent Severn waterway drops so the rest of the locks we need to go through to get to Georgian Bay we will be locking down.

The other half of our cruise we went through several very narrow man made canals which connect the lakes as part of the Trent Severn. Some parts of these canals were so narrow we could reach out and touch the trees. There was also a section that was cut through rock which is part of the Canadian Shield, (a geological feature that covers half the country). When entering these canals there is a sign posted to make a Securite call on Ch. 16 announcing your location and direction. There isn’t room to pass another boat so if you hear that call over the radio you wait at the entrance of the canal. (and hope anyone at the other end does the same!)
 

 

 When the channel was dug the rock was taken out and placed on shore.

  

We went through 6 locks, one of them being the other lift lock that puts the boat in a tub like chamber. This time we went down 49 feet.
 

 

Our stop for the night was at Thorah (lock 40) which is in an isolated rural setting with no road access for the public.

 

 

 

Thurs. June 26    0900/1800

53 miles             Thorah (lock 40) to Big Chute (lock 44)

We had a long day today on the water. This coming weekend is a holiday weekend for Canada and we wanted to be off the waterways most used by local boaters. We passed through 2 more lakes (Simcoe & Couchinching) and several more very narrow rocky channels. Our stop for the night is at the Big Chute. Instead of a lock our boat will be put on a rail car and transported over land to get to the lower water level. Tomorrow morning we will watch a couple boats go over before we try it.

 

Leaving canal heading into Lake Simcoe.

 

 Crystal clear water at 10 feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 Lock 43 (47 foot drop).

 

 

Fri. June 27   1130/1230

8 miles           Big Chute (lock 44) to Port Severn (lock 45)

WOW!!! What a ride we had today!! The second to the last lock on the Trent Severn waterway is not your typical lock. It’s actually a rail car that transports your boat (with you on it) over land to the body of water below the pool. They lower a rail car into the water, you pull your boat in over 2 slings, the rail car is lifted out of the water with the boat resting on the slings, and then you are on your way up and over. Almost like a rollercoaster but the boat stays level as it moves down hill. Once at the bottom the railcar is sunk back into the water till the boat is floating and away you go.

 

This is the original rail and car. (not used anymore)

 

 Rail car used now.

 

 Loading a boat and jet skis.

 

 

 Transporting a boat across.

 

Priorities being loaded.

 

 

 Leaving the rail on the down side.

 

 Rapids from the dam right next to the railcar.

 

 

After that ride it was a short cruise to the last lock in the Trent Severn system where we will stay 2 nights.

 

 Between lock 44 & 45.