TrentSevern

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a Canadian canal system in Ontario that provides a navigation route from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. It begins at Lake Ontario in Trenton on the Bay of Quinte and ends at Port Severn on Georgian Bay, linking the Trent and Severn river systems via a series of locks, basins, and man-made channels.

The route covers about 390 kilometers (roughly 240 miles) and contains 44 locks. Notable features along the waterway include the Peterborough Lift Lock, a 20-meter (65-foot) lift; the Kirkfield Lift Lock; and the Big Chute Marine Railway, which allows boats to be moved overland between water bodies. The waterway also passes through the Kawartha Lakes region, serving communities such as Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes towns like Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls, and Orillia before ending at Port Severn.

History and status: Construction of the Trent-Severn began in the 19th century and occurred in phases, with segments opening over many years and the full route completed in the early 20th century. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada and is administered today by Parks Canada as a recreational canal. It remains a popular destination for boating, tourism, and heritage interpretation, operating seasonally with lock operations and maintenance funding dedicated to preserving the historic infrastructure.