Lock 23 — Lock 23 – Otonabee

Lock 23 Otonabee sits on the Otonabee River at KM 152.6 (Mile 94.8), roughly 0.8 km (0.5 mi) upstream of Lock 22 Nassau Mills and approximately 8 km (5 mi) south of the village of Lakefield. Situated within the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan in Peterborough County, this quiet, rural lock station provides a welcome contrast to the bustle of the Peterborough Lift Lock a few miles to the south. The lock raises vessels 3.7 m (12 ft) on the northbound journey toward Lakefield and the Kawartha Lakes, and is one of five slow-operating valve gate locks in the corridor between Peterborough and Lakefield.

Lock 23 holds a singular distinction in Canadian canal engineering: it was the first lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway to be constructed entirely of concrete. Superintendent R.B. Rogers, who later designed the famed Peterborough Lift Lock, began construction at this site in 1896 as a proving ground for concrete lock-building techniques. Rogers paid strict attention to the combination of materials, and after the structure survived its first winter without damage, he pronounced the experiment a success. The confidence gained here directly influenced the design of subsequent locks and the monumental Lift Lock itself. Parks Canada identifies Lock 23 — along with Lock 22 Nassau Mills — as a heritage structure whose original concrete construction materials contribute to the national historic significance of the waterway.

Approaching from downstream, boaters will find the painted blue line on the east wall below the lock with mooring room available; additional space is on the west wall. Above the lock, mooring is on the east wall with space for a few boats, and vessels tying up on the upper level have access to picnic tables, grills, and fire pits — a rare amenity among TSW lock stations. Potable water and washrooms are available, though there is no electricity or shore power. The maximum mooring period is two nights. A nearby trail provides opportunities for walking, jogging, and cycling along the Otonabee River shoreline, and camping is permitted at this station. The lock operates with slow-action valve gates, so boaters should plan for slightly longer lockage times compared to the hydraulic and powered locks elsewhere on the system.

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▼ Below Lock

📍 GPS: 44.3725°N, 78.2897°W · [VERIFY — Parks Canada], Selwyn Township, Peterborough County, Ontario, ON · Get Directions ↗ · Street View ↗

For navigation, use CHS Chart #2023 — this map is for reference only and should not be used for marine navigation.

Boater Orientation Notes:

• Very limited walkable amenities — only Kyoto Coffee (~1 km) and trail access. No walkable restaurants, grocery, or pharmacy.
• Provision at Peterborough (Lock 21 area, ~8 km south) or Lakefield (Lock 26 area, ~7 km north) where full services are available.
• Y Drive App rideshare is the preferred transport — faster and better reviewed than Capitol Taxi. Download before arrival.
• Lock 23 was the first concrete lock constructed in Canada. Fire pits permitted; 2-night max mooring; no showers (nearest at Lock 25).
• Rotary Greenway Trail passes directly by the lock — paved path south to Peterborough (~8 km) and north toward Lakefield (~7 km).

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Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Short run up the river from Lock 22, so be ready — you won’t have much transit time between them. Not a lot of issues around this one. You’ll get a bit of swelling on the lower side, and YOU WANT TO STAY IN THE MARKED CHANNEL — there’s been reported shoaling here in the past. Don’t cut corners on the approach. Eyes on the buoys, eyes on the chart. Once you’re in the chamber, you’ve got about a 12-foot lift, then you’re on your way. Quick, routine lock once you’re past the approach.

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 ↗