July 3 Leaving the Trent-Severn Canal

Swift Rapids
The other side of the rapids. where John was fishing.

Sunset while waiting for the Lock to open

At around 9:30 a 15 ft boat pulled up with 3 young men and their tent.

The park site had a fire pit ready for anyone who wanted to use it.
We forgot the marshmallows.

The next morning we watched the first boats go through the lift.

Swift Rapids changes the water level approximately 45 feet.

John stopped at a waterfront restaurant. It would either be very good or very bad. Luckily it was great.

The Highlight of the trip is the Big Chute.

A traditional lock would have been easier, but a 55 foot height of land was necessary to prevent the possible migration of the parasitic sea lamprey into the Lake Simcoe fishery.

Boats are floated onto a partially submerged railway car and cradled with slings

and lowered into the water on the other side for the boats to float off.

View from the top

It sure feels strange

Heading down

It sure feels strange moving in our boat with no water under us.

floating down ready to float off

cables pull the rail road car

we passed the rapids as we left

As we locked through lock 45 we realized we have completed the Trent Severn Waterway. It started at Trenton 243 feet above sea level. went to a high water point at Balsam Lake at 840 feet above sea level and finishing at Port Severn and 576 feet above sea level.. We have travelled through 44 locks and a railway car through 240 miles of the Trent Severn Waterway.