Day 273 - June 14, 2014: Frankford, Ontario

The first Erie Canal was completed in six years while the Trent-Severn Waterway took over 90, plagued by military, economic and political forces. As early as 1800, there was a government push for moving military supplies more safely and commercial goods more efficiently across lower Canada by connecting Lake Ontario to the Georgian Bay. However, it was realized that the boats would have to be narrow, carrying few goods, and loaded/unloaded at each end.

In 1833, the government went ahead and built a first lock between two lakes, but it had to be rebuilt three times before working satisfactorily in 1857. In the late 1800s, trains took over the transportation needs, but at the same time the government discovered hydroelectric power. This provided the incentive to continue to build locks and power-generating stations to connect the lakes in this area. By 1918, the waterway was 90% completed, but World War I was diverting most of the funds. Finally, in June 1920, the last two-mile section was completed, and the waterway opened at a cost exceeding $19 million. Today the waterway is used mostly for private boating and still generates valuable hydraulic power.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is 240 miles long, consists of 44 locks, and winds through a myriad of large and small lakes. It starts in Trenton at 243 feet above sea level, and using 35 locks, boats are elevated over mountains to as high as 840 feet. From there to Severn, it drops steadily and exits into the Georgian Bay at 576 feet. There are fixed bridges at 22 feet high, and if your draft (depth under water) is over five feet you are advised to inquire further about current conditions before entering. For the most part, the waterway still consists of manually-operated locks and dams built almost 100 years ago.

Entrance to Lock 3

Today we went through the first six locks, rising 117 feet, and by noon were docked at a beautiful secluded park across from Frankford, Ontario. It was cool and overcast while we took the bikes for a ride into town and brought back some items (yes, including a sea grass vase).

Great Laker on the wall at the top of Lock 6

Biking to/from the store

I awoke from reading and a short nap to find six mating pairs of Canada Geese with at least 40 offspring grazing alongside the boat. The parents stand tall and alert ready to protect the family from harm.

Geese out for a stroll

This was a very relaxing day, and after a great meal of salmon we watched as the sun set behind the trees and over the hillsides. Life is good.

Sunset over the waterway