Aug 29-30, Lakefield, ON

Today we are heading from Peterborough to Lakefield, a distance of only ten miles, but we are transiting nine locks including the Peterborough Lift Lock, which is the tallest lift lock in the world. We are raised up 65 feet very quickly (like in an elevator).

Peterborough Lift Lock

We visited the Visitor Center at the base of the lock and found some interesting facts. This is the largest lift lock in the world. It was designed by a Canadian engineer, Richard Rogers, in the 1890's, and constructed by Canadians beginning in 1896 and opened in 1904. The structure is made of unreinforced concrete.

Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Center

KOKOMO II waiting to go through

The Lift Lock consists of two water filled chambers (think bathtubs), each weighing 1300 tons, one in the up position and one in the down position connected by a hydraulic ram so when one goes down, the other goes up the corresponding amount. Both chambers have large gates at both ends. As we approach the lift lock at the lower level, a gate opens in the lower chamber allowing us to enter. After we have entered and tied up the gate is closed. Then an additional foot of water is added to the upper chamber making it heavier by 130 tons. A valve is opened to connect the hydraulic rams together and the heavier upper chamber decends forcing the lower chamber up to the upper level.

Entering the Peterborough Lift Lock with the gate down.

What about the weight of the boats? As we enter, the weight of our boat displaces an amount of water that weighs the same as our boat, so the total weight in the bathtub is the same as before we entered. Those engineers are clever!

We're being lifted!

At the top looking behind us. At this point we are 65 feet higher than the waterway below.

At the top looking forward.

Peterborough Lift Lock as we motor toward Lakefield.

We arrive in Lakefield and stay at the Lakefield Marina right downtown. This is a charming little place with several restaurants, great meat market, great produce market, several book stores, shops, hardware, IGA grocery and many very pretty homes. We rate this a great stop!

Lakefield Marina

Lakefield stone church

Flowers are everywhere. Quite a variety of sunflowers. Supposed to be more species of sunflowers than orchids. Hard to believe but here are a dozen different sunflowers.

Lakefield downtown. There is one stoplight in town.

Pretty homes in Lakefield.

Serving English Tea here

Lots of restaurants

Graveyard with dates in the 1800's on these headstones. Church is open as a museum and has twelve short pews facing the pulpit with this pretty window behind.

Front of the Anglican Church dated 1853.

We liked this town and are having beautiful weather so we stayed an extra day.