| The Trent-Severn Waterway, one of Canada's most | | | | allow boat traffic during the approximated construction |
| spectacular waterways, meanders some 386 km | | | | period of one year. This decision was controversial |
| through south central Ontario. Operating from May until | | | | and upset some local car drivers but the decision was |
| October with roughly 32 km of man-made channels | | | | consistent with the mandate of the Trent-Severn |
| and 45 locks, the Trent-Severn begins at Trenton on | | | | Waterway as a transportation corridor link for boats |
| Lake Ontario and ends at Port Severn on Georgian | | | | making the journey to and from Georgian Bay. |
| Bay. | | | | Maintained and operated by Parks Canada, a federal |
| The Waterway's historic locks and canals link lakes | | | | government agency, the Big Chute Marine Railway at |
| and rivers to form an inland water route that has been | | | | Lock 44 has large grounds for picnicking so that |
| called "one of the finest interconnected systems of | | | | visitors can spend some time exploring the area and |
| navigation in the world". Of the many remarkable locks | | | | watching the boats. Visitors to this National Historic Site |
| and noteworthy sites along its path, the most | | | | are invited to take a self-guided tour of the old and |
| extraordinary is at Lock 44. The magnificent Big Chute | | | | new Big Chute hydro generating stations. As well, the |
| Marine Railway is so impressive it has become a | | | | Nautical Nook Gift Shop is open for tourists to |
| popular Muskoka tourist attraction. | | | | purchase souvenirs. The main attraction is the railway |
| The Big Chute Marine Railway is the most significant | | | | its self and watching the boats get loaded onto the |
| of the engineering marvels along the Trent-Severn | | | | railway car to make the slow ascent out of the water, |
| System that also includes the world's highest hydraulic | | | | across the road, and then down the big chute to the |
| boat lift located at Lock 21 in Peterborough, and the | | | | water below. Less than 30 minutes later, the process |
| slightly smaller Kirkfield Lift Lock near Canal Lake. The | | | | begins again in reverse when boats at the top of Big |
| only marine railway of its kind in North America still in | | | | Chute make their slow descent down into Gloucester |
| use, the Big Chute Marine Railway is a virtual roller | | | | Pool and the waters of Georgian Bay. Approximately |
| coaster for boats, lifting vessels and their occupants to | | | | 7 thousand boats used the Big Chute Marine Railway |
| a height of about 18 metres or 60 feet between the | | | | in 2008. The number of visitors to the Lock 44 and its |
| Severn River and Gloucester Pool. The railway works | | | | park were many times more. |
| on an inclined plane to carry boats, both large and small | | | | It's not only boaters who visit the Big Chute Marine |
| in a sling cradle over the Big Chute. | | | | Railway. Many resort guests take the short drive to |
| The Trent-Severn Waterway was built as an efficient | | | | Lock 44 to watch the Marine Railway in operation. |
| way to transport lumber. Construction began in 1833 | | | | Vacationing families especially find it both interesting |
| and it wasn't until 1920 that a boat could travel the | | | | and educational. |
| entire route. When the Big Chute Marine Railway was | | | | Information provided by Severn Lodge ( a traditional |
| built, it was only meant to be a temporary solution until | | | | Muskoka resort on Georgian Bay, located close to Big |
| a conventional lock system could be built to replace it. | | | | Chute. |
| This however did not happen. The initiative to replace | | | | Since the 1930's, Severn Lodge has been a favourite |
| the railway disappeared as the lumber industry went | | | | Muskoka family resort for memorable family vacations, |
| into decline and the original marine railway is still in use | | | | couple's romantic getaways, business conferences |
| today transporting pleasure boats instead of logging | | | | and weddings. With 700 metres of private shoreline on |
| barges. | | | | the Trent Severn Waterway near Georgian Bay at |
| To put the importance of the lock system into | | | | Gloucester Pool, Severn Lodge offers 46 luxury |
| perspective, when the swing road bridge at Lock 45 | | | | lakeside rooms and suites, waterfront housekeeping |
| required rehabilitation work, the Waterway Commission | | | | cottages, fine dining and a wealth of recreational |
| made the decision to leave the swing bridge open to | | | | activities. |