Lock 19 — Lock 19 – Scotts Mills

Lock 19 Scotts Mills sits on the west bank of the Otonabee River at Kilometre 142.8Mile 88.7, approximately 0.6 km0.4 miles downstream of Little Lake at Peterborough. It is the only lock on the entire Trent-Severn Waterway that retains its original hand-quarried limestone masonry, making it one of the most historically significant structures in the 386-kilometre canal system. The lock sits at the southern entrance to Peterborough — the largest city on the waterway and the administrative headquarters of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.

The original lock and dam at Whitla’s Rapids were constructed between 1837 and 1843, surveyed by Nicol Hugh Baird, who had previously worked under Lieutenant-Colonel John By during the building of the Rideau Canal. The lock is named after Adam Scott, a settler from Edinburgh, Scotland, who arrived in the area in 1819 and erected a lumber mill and distillery along the Otonabee. The adjacent dam was rebuilt in 1904, and most recently underwent a full replacement between 2019 and 2023 as part of a 5-million Parks Canada infrastructure investment in the Peterborough area. The new dam was designed to respect the historic character of the site while restoring public pedestrian access across the structure.

Lock 19 is notably smaller than the standard Trent-Severn chambers — at 37.2 m × 9.7 m122 ft × 32 ft, it can typically accommodate only one large vessel at a time. Overnight mooring is permitted for up to two nights, and the lockstation provides washrooms, potable water, a picnic area, and a paddle dock, though there is no shore power. Limited tie-up space is available both above and below the lock. Peterborough’s restaurants, shops, and services are a short walk uphill to Highway 7A at the Lansdowne Street bridge. From this lock, boaters continuing northbound enter a notably slow stretch — eight locks spread across 16 km10 miles between here and Lakefield, with Locks 19, 20, and 22 through 26 all operating with manual valves that add to transit times.

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▲ Above Lock

▼ Below Lock

▲ Above Lock

▼ Below Lock

📍 GPS: 44.2886853°N, 78.3107699°W · 804 Morphet Avenue, Peterborough, Ontario, Peterborough, Ontario, ON · Get Directions ↗ · Street View ↗

For navigation, use CHS Chart #2022 — this map is for reference only and should not be used for marine navigation.

Boater Orientation Notes:

• Peterborough is a full-service city (pop. ~82,000) — Lock 19 sits at the south edge with Lansdowne St shops just ~200 m up the hill.
• Lock 19 is the only remaining original masonry lock on the TSW (built 1837—43). Max mooring: 2 nights.
• Canadian Canoe Museum (~1.5 km) and the world-famous Peterborough Lift Lock (~3.2 km) are must-see attractions.
• Downtown Peterborough (George St N) is ~1.5—2 km north — walkable or a quick taxi ride.
• Peterborough Transit Route 7 stops near the lock — affordable access to grocery, pharmacy, and downtown.

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Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Interesting little place. Blue line is on the starboard side. From the upper side of the lock, you get one of the best views on the system — looking back down through clear water coming out of the dam and over some rapids. Worth the look. Not much else at the lock itself, but there’s an operational reality to flag: after Scotts Mills you’ve got roughly ten locks packed into the next 10 to 16 km. Lots of stops, fast cycling. You’ll start to feel like you’re really getting somewhere through this stretch. HAZARD TO WATCH: the Lansdowne Bridge. Vertical clearance is 22 feet at normal water levels. Confirm your air draft before you commit — and check actual water levels, because ‘normal’ varies.

Weather data for navigation planning purposes only. Always check Environment and Climate Change Canada’s official marine forecast before making operational decisions. weather.gc.ca ↗