The Trent Severn includes another 45 locks!
Compared to the neighboring "historic" canal systems (Chambly, Rideau, Erie) that were built for trade/traffic or defense purposes and constructed pretty much all at one time, the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) took some 90 years "to complete". Originally conceived for trade, then considered for military logistics it never seemed to get enough attention. With the Great Lakes trade route as its big brother and the advent of railroad travel, it was easily overshadowed.
It was really hydropower in the early 1900's (with locks as a supporting component) that pushed the development/completion of a continuous waterway from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay.
With 45 locks (that are mostly all still hand operated!) to go up from Lake Ontario to the high point of 840 feet above sea level at Balsam Lake, then down to Georgian Bay, the TSW is also a UNESCO Historic Site and contains 2 engineering marvels, the Peterborough and Kirkfield Lift Locks and the Big Chute Marine Railway.
Happy Happy officially entering the Trent Severn. (Photo thanks to AGLCA Great Loop Harbo(u)r Host Karen Martin!!!)
The Trent Severn has 44 locks and dams (and a bunch of swing bridges) to connect the rivers and lakes between Trenton in the east to Lake Simco and Georgian Bay to the west.
The Canadian one dollar coin, the "Loonie", honoring the Loon (you gotta hear one at night calling, it's well, looney!).
Campbellford, Ontario, the home of the designer of Canada's 2 dollar coin, the "Toonie". Also lesser known as the "Doubloonie" (Double Loonie). The bimetallic coin is designed to last 20 years in regular circulation compared to the typical paper bill, which lasts 1 year, so the Canadians are actually saving money to make this money! They've also eliminated the penny from their monetary system because it costs too much to deal with it. (photo courtesy of M/V Independence)
The Blue Hole anchorage.
The Trent Severn is a close cottage getaway for many "Toronto" folks.
We came here for the "halibut"!
A foggy morning in Hastings.
18 locks in two days, a record for us!
In Peterborough we picked up cousins Linda and Mike from Windsor for a few days of cruising (and eating and drinking!).
The Peterborough Lift Lock, the highest (65 feet) hydraulic lift lock in the world.
Two big "bathtubs" of water hanging on tracks. The weight of the upper one is filled to be heavier than the lower one and creates the force to make one go up and one go down.
The view from the top!
Stoney Lake is well, er,..........stoney.
A rockin' church on the rocks!
