Northbound Great Loopers arriving at Lock 26 have just cleared the most lock-concentrated corridor on the Trent-Severn — eight locks compressed into roughly ten miles of the Otonabee River between Peterborough and Lakefield. This lockstation marks the true threshold of the Kawartha Lakes: above the gates, Katchewanooka Lake opens ahead and the passage shifts from tight river navigation to the broad lake cruising that defines the middle waterway. From here the route continues north through Young’s Point (Lock 27) and the scenic Kawartha chain before reaching the Kirkfield Lift Lock and the long descent toward Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. Learn more about the Great Loop cruising community and route resources at AGLCA: https://www.greatloop.org/
Lock 26 sits at approximately KM 158.8 (Mile 98.7) on the Otonabee River in the village of Lakefield, Ontario — a location that carries real geographic significance for northbound cruisers. Below the lock, the channel flows as the last quiet reach of the Otonabee River; above the gates, Katchewanooka Lake opens immediately and the Kawartha Lakes chain begins. This transition from river to lake makes Lock 26 the northern threshold of the Otonabee River corridor and explains why Lakefield has long been described as the Gateway to the Kawartha Lakes. The lockstation is also the final station in a sequence of eight locks spread across roughly ten miles between Peterborough and Lakefield — one of the densest concentrations of lock infrastructure on the entire 386-kilometre waterway.
Construction of the Peterborough-to-Lakefield canal segment was approved by the federal government in 1895, with the firm of Brown, Love and Aylmer contracted to build the locks and dams along this stretch of the Otonabee River. Parks Canada records note that Lakefield was already a thriving industrial centre at the time of construction, with numerous mills and factories operating from an existing dam at the site. Completing the canal required an extensive entrance cut into the western bank of the river, reinforced by a masonry retaining wall, with a swing bridge originally installed to carry vehicle traffic across the lock gates. The specific completion year for Lock 26 itself has not been confirmed in accessible records [VERIFY — Parks Canada]. The chamber measures 36.6 m × 9.7 m (120 ft × 32 ft) with an average lift of 4.8 m (16 ft), operated by hand-operated valve gates — the same manual system used at all six Otonabee River locks in this series.
The lockstation is well-equipped for overnight visitors. Parks Canada provides mooring for up to two nights on the upper side of the lock, with 30-amp shore power pedestals, potable water, washrooms, showers, a paddle dock, picnic area, and a campsite. The upper wall is the preferred location for overnight stays; the downstream approach wall has been reported in below-average condition and is not recommended for overnight mooring. Lakefield Marina, operated by Selwyn Township and located just above the lock on the south shore of Katchewanooka Lake, offers transient and seasonal dockage with power, water, pump-out, showers, and a snack bar, and monitors VHF Channel 68. Downtown Lakefield is a genuine ten-minute walk from the lockstation via the Lakefield Millennium Trail path: boaters will find multiple restaurants, a Foodland grocery store, LCBO, pharmacy, hardware store, post office, banks, and the historic Christ Church museum (built 1853, restored as a heritage and pioneer museum) all within easy reach. The Millennium Trail system continues south from this lock through the Otonabee River locks all the way to Peterborough — a popular cycling and walking corridor that draws foot traffic through the lockstation throughout the season.
| Official Name | Lock 26 — Lakefield Parks Canada |
| Lock Number | 26 |
| GPS Coordinates | 44°25′09.9″N 78°16′10.9″W Parks Canada |
| Street Address | [VERIFY — Parks Canada] |
| KM Marker | KM 158.8 — Mile 98.7 TSW Database |
| Region | Kawartha — Otonabee River Corridor |
| Water Body | Otonabee River (upstream entry to Katchewanooka Lake) CHS CEN309 |
| CHS Nautical Chart | #2023-2 CHS CEN309 |
| Nearest Municipality | Lakefield, Ontario |
| Historic Construction | Approved 1895 — contractor Brown, Love and Aylmer; Lock 26 completion date [VERIFY — Parks Canada] Parks Canada |
| Lock Phone | (705) 652-3056 Parks Canada |
| trentsevern@pc.gc.ca |
| Parameter | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Lock Number | 26 | |
| Average Lift | 4.88 m | 16 ft |
| Chamber Length | 36.6 m | 120 ft |
| Chamber Width | 9.7 m | 32 ft |
| Maximum Draft System-wide | 1.8 m | 6 ft |
| Bridge Clearance CHS | 7.2 m | 23.5 ft |
| Gate Type | Standard mitre | |
| VHF Channel | Channel Monitor VHF 16 — Sécurité call required at bridge | |
| Operating Season Parks Canada | Mid-May to mid-October | |
| Max Mooring Period Parks Canada | 2 nights | |
| Permit Required | Yes — 1‑888‑773‑8888 or parks.canada.ca | |
| Electricity | ✗ Not Available | |
| Potable Water | ✔ Available | |
| Pump-Out | ✗ Not Available | |
| Operator | Parks Canada — Environment and Climate Change Canada | |
| Lock Phone Parks Canada | (705) 652-3056 | |
▲ Above Lock
▲ Above Lock
📌 ~10 km from lock
🌊 Depths: 15/6.5 ft (approach/dock)
▼ Below Lock
📌 Adjacent from lock
🌊 Depths: 12/12 ft (approach/dock)
📍 GPS: 44.42°N, 78.2709°W · 1 Lock St, Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0, Selwyn Township (Lakefield), 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.
☎ Village Taxi of Lakefield — (705) 652-8294 — Only confirmed taxi serving Lakefield directly. Call to arrange pickup from the lock.
Uber and Lyft are NOT available in Lakefield.
Boater Orientation Notes:
- Downtown Lakefield (Queen St) is ~800 m—1 km walk from Lock 26 via paved path north to Route 29 and across the bridge.
- Lock 26 upper wall has 30-amp shore power (3—4 pedestals), washrooms, showers, and mooring for ~8 boats. Max 2-night mooring.
- Lakefield Marina (1 Water St, just above the lock) has 34 slips including 8 transient, 30/50 amp, pump-out, and WiFi.
- October 2025 fire destroyed Kawartha Home Hardware (24 Queen St) — pop-up now at 25 Queen St. Lakefield IDA Pharmacy (32 Queen St) may also be affected — verify status before relying on it.
- Lakefield is a charming, walkable village with grocery (Foodland, open 24 hrs), LCBO, restaurants, pharmacy, hardware, and laundromat all on Queen St.
🛒 Grocery
| Name | Directions | Phone | Rating | Distance | Access |
| Foodland Lakefield 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-3202 | ⭐ 4.1 | ~900 m | Walkable |
| LCBO Lakefield 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-7031 | ⭐ N/A | ~850 m | Walkable |
🍴 Restaurants
| Name | Directions | Phone | Rating | Distance | Access |
| Canoe & Paddle Pub 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 651-1111 | ⭐ 4.2 | ~900 m | Walkable |
| Cassis Bistro 🔗 | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ 4.5 | ~850 m | Walkable |
| Lakefield Restaurant 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-1119 | ⭐ 4.4 | ~1 km | Walkable |
| Stuff’d Ice Cream, Bakery and Cafe 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 651-1111 | ⭐ 4.5 | ~900 m | Walkable |
| The Nutty Bean Cafe 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-9721 | ⭐ 4.4 | ~850 m | Walkable |
🏛 Local Interests
| Name | Directions | Phone | Rating | Distance | Access |
| Christ Church Community Museum 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 868-6493 | ⭐ N/A | ~950 m | Walkable |
| Isabel Morris Park and Lock 26 Grounds | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ N/A | On-site | Walkable |
| Lakefield Farmers Market | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ N/A | ~900 m | Walkable |
| Lakefield Trail (Millennium Trail) | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ N/A | ~700 m | Walkable |
| Otonabee River Bridge Viewpoint | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ N/A | ~750 m | Walkable |
🔧 Support & Services
| Name | Directions | Phone | Rating | Distance | Access |
| Home Building Centre — Lakefield 🔗 | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ N/A | ~1.2 km | Walkable |
| Kawartha Home Hardware (Pop-Up) 🔗 | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ N/A | ~850 m | Walkable |
| Lakefield IDA Pharmacy 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-8184 | ⭐ N/A | ~850 m | Walkable |
| Lakefield Laundry Villa | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-3746 | ⭐ N/A | ~1.1 km | Walkable |
| Lakefield Marina 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-0330 | ⭐ N/A | ~500 m | Walkable |
| NAPA Auto Parts — Lakefield 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 652-6422 | ⭐ N/A | ~850 m | Walkable |
Last Updated: March 18, 2026
Populous town with plenty of amenities — most within walking distance, or biking distance if you want to cover more ground. A cab or Uber is workable too. On the list: a Foodland (grocery), an LCBO (liquor), pretty much anything you need for personal gear, and a hardware store over on the other side of town. On approach to the lock, you can get some turbulence — same as most of the others through this stretch — but nothing unusual. If you’ve been pushing from Sawyer Creek, Lakefield is the natural stop. Stretch the legs, restock, do your shopping. Lakefield can get busy in season, but it’s the most useful resupply point you’ve had in a while.
Shoal locations, rock hazards, and current data for Lock 26 – Lakefield are being compiled from CHS CEN309 and current Notices to Mariners. Check notmar.gc.ca for active advisories. CHS
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 ↗