Lock #19 Scotts Mills-Peterborough, Ontario to Lock #27 Young’s Point, Ontario

Date               July 27, 2011

Day                29

Departure     Lock #19 Scotts Mills-Peterborough, Ontario  8:50 am

Arrival            Lock #27 Young’s Point, Ontario  2:45 pm

Miles               12.5

Cumulative  706.5

Our journey today took us through the greatest number of locks so far in one day, 8; but we only traveled 12.5 miles!  After going through the first lock of the day, we came to the Peterborough Lift Lock.  This lock was completed in 1904 and was considered an engineering marvel at that time.  Each of the two pans weighs 1300 tons when filled.  With one pan up and the other down the two balance each other.  It does not matter how many boats are in either pan.  A boat displaces its own weight in water.  When it is time to lower one pan and raise the other, one extra foot of water (130 tons) is allowed to enter the upper pan.  This extra weight allows the upper pan to push down and raise the lower pan to the top level.  The two pans are locked in place and the extra water is let out of the lower pan.  Boats enter and exit the upper and lower pans and the process is repeated!

Peterborough Lift lock #1

#2

#3

#4

Looking off the stern as we go up

Inside the lock

Looking off the stern from the top

We made it, now we can leave!

As we traveled the waterway, we saw many people out enjoying the day

Canoeing on the river

Enlarge the picture to see the rower

and came upon the first houseboat we have seen on the river.  These houseboats are rented by families so they too, can enjoy the waterway.

The first houseboat we have seen

After Lock 26 in Lakefield, Skipper Bob’s guide cautions on a very narrow gorge, with little room to pass another vessel.  He wasn’t kidding!  I hope we don’t meet anyone coming the other way!!

Doesn't look like anyone is coming!

Seaplanes seem to be another mode of transportation in this area

Boys having fun and cooling off in the wash below the dam at Lock 27

Our destination for tonight, Lock 27 Young’s Point lock wall.  Right at the lock is the Lockside Trading Co. which provides gifts and unique shopping as well as ice cream.  The Old Bridge Inn provides pies, French fries, pizza etc. and there is also a post office and general grocery store nearby.