We have found the best cruising thus far. The Trent-Severn is magnificent, well marked with the easiest and best organized locks.
The scenery is spectacular and the transit was peaceful as we cruised along at very fuel efficient 9 MPH. Lakes, rivers, canals, hills, trees, homes along the waterfront with docks, and people enjoying life on the water; snowmobiling (PWCs), water skiing, tubing, fishing and wind surfing or just sitting along the banks. Photos, at least with my camera, cannot capture the entirety of the scenery.
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| Upscale homes on the waterway |
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| A sense of the waterway |
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| Canal leading to Campbellford |
Here's a little background. The Trent-Severn Waterway winds 240 miles connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Huron's Georgian Bay. It is considered one of Canada's national historic sights. Construction was started in 1833 and by 1920 (87 years later) it was open to navigation between the lakes, which was primarily commercial. Its development has been an ongoing project resulting in a modern waterway dedicated to recreation. 120,000 boats lock through each season. The Waterway consists of 45 locks, 20 miles of man-made channels, 39 swing bridges and 125 dams. The highest point is 840 ft above sea level at Balsam Lake. Parks Canada is responsible for the maintenance and operation, which controls waterflows over a 18,600 sq km area. Click on the link below for more details.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent%E2%80%93Severn_Waterway
We've been on the Waterway for three days. Here's the highlights of each day.
Our jouney started at 7:30 AM on Friday (7/20) when we departed Frazier Marina at Trenton. 20 minutes later we reached Lock 1 (lift 18') and tied up on the "blue line" awaiting the 8:30 AM opening. Our goal was to be first in line. Hence the early departure. Here we experienced the first difference between these and other locks. You tie up to the wall while waiting instead of burning fuel and fighting winds and current.
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| Guided Discovery first on the "blue line" |
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| Lock 1 viewed from the "blue line' |
The next big differences between this and the other locks we've experienced (i.e., western rivers and Erie Canal) is that the lock walls are clean, thanks to Zebra Mussels, an invasive species (brought in deliberately) and easy thanks to plastic coated cables. You hook a bow and stern line around the cables, which hold the boat in place as you rise or descend.
Another unique difference is the lock culture. First, the lockmasters and their assistants are friendly, helpful and efficient, including operating the process quickly, alerting the next lock of our intentions and calling marinas to arrange dockage. Next, they help promote the local businesses by handing out city pamphlets. Then there's the lottery. At Lock 1 we recieved a ticket with tear off coupons that are handed in at the appropriate lock. Finally, the lockmasters distribute wildlife cards that indicate the species found in their area. Bottom line: Locks on the Trent-Severn are fun. Kodi got lots of attention and treats.
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| Notice the bow line looped around the cable |
At Lock 1 they collect the $4.65 per foot user fee ($223.20 CN for us) for a one way passage. We paid the fee to Bart, the gentleman from Parks Canada who we met at the Trenton festival. The whole process of lifting 18 feet and paying our fee took a total of 19 minutes.
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| Guided Discovery in the lock after the lift |
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| Our friend Bart (collecting our user fee) |
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| Lock worker manually openning the upstream door |
The rest of Friday's journey involved 11 more locks for a total lift of 234 feet over 31 miles (and a low 13.4 gallons of fuel). The final lock on this segment is designated Lock 11/12 at Ranney Falls. This is a "double lock" with a lift of 48 feet achieved in two 24 foot lifts. After the first 24 feet the door open into the next chamber.
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| Lock 11. Note the clean blue doors to the next lock |
We docked on the Campbellford Town Wall at 4:18 PM. As you can see in the photo below, the town wall runs along a lovely park. There was water, power connections and clean bathrooms. Dockage was $89.50.
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| Guided Discovery on Campbellford Town Wall |
Saturday morning began with a 5 mile walk with Kodi where we walked south along the waterway to Lock 11/12, east across the swing bridge, north along the channel and finally west across the bridge; a full circle.
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| Lock 11/12 as vied from the top - Notice the two chambers |
On the way I encountered two men picking up trash. I asked if they were "official" and learned that they were doing it voluntarily - every day. Turns out the man on the right was the former president of the Rotary Club. I chatted with them and learned alot about Campbellford and the surrounding cities which form a region with a 20,000 population.
Then we journyed 20 miles and six more locks to Hastings (just after Lock 18). We had now lifted a total of 368 feet. Most of this segment was river and canals.
Sunday, we departed Hastings at 9:20 AM and for the first two hours we traversed Rice Lake essentially on a southwest heading. With 10 to 15 MPH winds on nose we experience waves just under a foot in the mostly open water and a lovely cool breeze (thank you 74 degree water). At 11:25 AM, we made a hard right turn on to the Otonabee River, which twists and turns for 90 minutes to Lock 18. Half a mile later we docked at Peterborough Marina having covered 38 spectacular miles (on 18 gallons of fuel).
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| Guided Discovery at Peterborough |
Statistics as of today at Petersborough, ON on the Trent Severn:
- 5,151 Total Miles since beginning of the Great Loop on 10/3/10 5,178 Total Gallons of Diesel Used
- 75 Total Locks
- $3.67 Average Cost of Fuel
- $85 Average Daily Cost of Dockage
- 398 Days on the Great Loop
- $217 Average Cost Per Day
Statistics since leaving Branford Connecticut for Phase II:
- 579 Miles Traveled Since 7/2/12
- 167 Total Gallons Used (includes sea trial)
- 48 Locks
- 376 Total Lift on the Trent Severn
Written by Les.
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