Peterborough, Ont Wed. July 14, 2010 to Lakefield July 16

Wednesday, today is the day we depart Peterborough and we get to do the first of the two "lift locks" we will encounter along the waterway.  This was an experience for us since we had no idea what to expect.  I hope the pictures adequately describe this unique system that raises boats from one water level to another.

The lock story begins with the third photo down.


For information about the lock visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterborough_Lift_Lock

As we proceed west out of Peterborough, we are getting into "house boat country."  There is large industry in this part of Canada that rents these things to both the experienced and the inexperienced.  The thing that we noticed was they are equipped with outboard motors for propulsion of such small horsepower that even the most inexperienced user is unlikely to do much damage.  That was not said by anyone but we did suspect that this is the strategy.

This was a small tug being put into the water by the cranes you see.  This was outside of lock 20 or 21.  It was an interesting delay for us.

This is our first close up view of the lift lock.  Notice the piston system has the lift chamber on the left pushed up to the upper water level while the lift chamber on the right is at the lower water level.  The system uses a clever technique for causing the upper chamber to force the lower chamber up, so the chambers trade positions after all the boats are in them and secured.  The process is described in the link posted above.  Notice all the concrete work which makes this a most photogenic lock system.  And note the red light.  This is the signal that the chamber is not yet ready for entry.

A plaque with some interesting facts.  This is one of the hundreds of things on display at the lock welcome center where we spent almost an hour before taking our turn to be lifted to the upper canal.

A simplified diagram of the physics that makes the system work.

The piston is huge.  The pan full of water with boats weighs some 1700 tons.  It is interesting that if there are no boats or 10 boats in the chamber it weighs the same 1700 tons.  Archimedes's principle at work.



Yours truly with the Salt Shaker in the background moored at the wall at the welcome center.

         A typical garden.  Welcome center in the background.

                 Going toward the low chamber, the one on the right.



In the chamber, looking back at the entrance canal.  The door is closed making our chamber water tight, ready to lift with us in it.

Looking at the descending upper chamber, with its piston forcing water into our piston and pushing us up in the process.

Still on the way up, looking out the side of the chamber thru the arch framework at the countryside below.

We are now on the upper channel looking back, having exited the lock chamber that brought us up to this level.  The door is already closed.  Too bad, we were the only boat in the chamber for this ride.  It would have been good if there were companions to help show scale and the fun all participants have when using this lock.

Canoes in the channel, crossing in front of us.  Tiny, aren't they!

Getting closer to our destination of Lakefield.  This is Trent University as seen thru the very interesting bridge.

More information can be found at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent_University

A view of a different part of TU

Pretty view of one of the narrower sections of the canal.

A view of our marina at Lakefield.  The administration building is a redo of the original very old structure that originally was the passenger station and waiting area when this was a steamboat terminal for the area.

See:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakefield,_Ontario  for lots of stuff about Lakefield.

Lakefield is on the eastern edge of "granite county" the huge geological formation that is called the Canadian Shield. There is granite everywhere. They make park benches out of the stuff. The rocks we had to avoid in the canals and channels earlier were puny compared to this stuff!

For more info about the Canadian Shield, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Shield

The water in the harbor was clean, clear and not too too cold for a dip.  This is right behind the boat.  Note the cushion tied to the boat with a light cord.  The cushion is part of our coast guard required safety gear.  As such it is called a "throwable cushion" which needs to be immediately accessible to throw to someone in case they should fall off the boat into the water.  The cord is my idea.  If I throw it and I miss the unfortunate chap, I need a way to retrieve it so I can try again.  It would also be handy to have a way to pull the "victim" back to the boat.  This thing turns out to be very bouyant.

The "captain" was coaxed into the water.  Burrrrr!

End of a fun day.

Another sunset that needed to be photographed.