Nassau Mills sits at mile marker 94.6, just beyond Lock 22 on the Trent-Severn Waterway north of Peterborough. The anchorage occupies a small bay south of red marker C84, beyond the lock wall, offering 8 feet minimum depth with good holding.
This is where the waterway begins its transition from the wider Otonabee River into the narrower canal section heading toward Lakefield. The area around Lock 22 is near Trent University, and the landscape shifts here from the broad river reaches downstream to a more confined, canal-like character.
The all-around protection from wind and wake makes this a reliable overnight stop, particularly for boats that have locked through late in the day and want to secure for the night without pushing on to Lakefield. The small bay provides genuine shelter from the channel traffic that passes through the Nassau Mills narrows.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.3686°N, 78.2907°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Otonabee River — Nassau Mills |
| Region | Kawartha Lakes |
| Mile Marker | MM 94.6 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge) |
| Depth Range | 2.4+ m 8+ ft — Waterway Guide |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 22 — Nassau Mills (Adjacent) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
All-around protection from both wind and wake. The small bay beyond the lock wall is enclosed on all sides, eliminating exposure from any direction. Channel traffic in the Nassau narrows does not generate significant wake into the anchorage. This is a fully sheltered stop.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Shore Access | Trent University campus is accessible from the waterway area, with trails and green space along the river corridor. The immediate anchorage shoreline is limited, but the lock station area provides tie-up for dinghies and access to the Rotary Greenway Trail system that runs through the area. |
| Pet Friendly | No votes yet |
Nearest provisioning: Lakefield village is located at Lock 23, approximately 6 km north. Lakefield has grocery stores, restaurants, hardware, and fuel. Peterborough, a full-service city with all provisioning needs, is approximately 8 km south via the waterway.
Scenic notes: A functional setting near lock infrastructure. The Trent University campus provides some green space in the background, and the tree cover along the waterway softens the engineered character of the lock and concrete walls. This is not a scenic destination — the value is practical shelter and proximity to the lock, not visual reward.
Nassau Mills is located at Lock 22 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, north of Peterborough near Trent University. This marks a transition point on the waterway — the broader Otonabee River character gives way to a narrower, more canal-like section as the route heads north toward Lakefield and Lock 23.
Lock 22 has a lift of 4.3 metres (14 feet). The lock sits in an area where the channel narrows considerably — CHS charts note a stretch here where concrete walls form the channel sides, reducing the navigable width to 45 feet with a controlling depth of 6 feet. Strong cross currents are documented at the southern approaches to the lock.
Between Lock 22 and Lock 23 (at Lakefield, approximately 6 km north), the waterway passes through the Trent University campus area before entering the village of Lakefield, historically known for its literary connections and as the gateway to the Kawartha Lakes.
| Lock | Name | Direction | Distance | Lift |
| #23 | Otonabee | Upstream | ~1 km | 3.66 m12 ft |
| #22 | Nassau Mills | Downstream | Adjacent | 4.27 m14 ft |
Nassau Mills is a working anchorage — you use it because of where it sits rather than for any scenic reward. The small bay beyond the lock wall south of red C84 provides 8 feet or better with good holding, and the all-around protection means you can settle in without watching the weather.
The approach to this anchorage requires awareness of the Nassau narrows. CHS notes a narrow stretch near here where the channel is formed by concrete walls, just 45 feet wide and 6 feet deep. Strong cross currents may be encountered at the southern approaches to the lock. These are manageable in normal conditions but deserve respect — slow down, maintain steerage, and be prepared for the current to push you sideways.
Once past the narrows and the lock, the small bay is straightforward to enter. The 8-foot minimum gives adequate margin for most TSW boats, and the holding is good. This is a practical overnight stop for boats transiting between Peterborough and Lakefield — close enough to Lock 22 to be convenient, sheltered enough to sleep well. Lock 22 has a 14-foot lift, so you gain or lose meaningful elevation here depending on your direction of travel.
Strong cross currents at the southern approaches to Lock 22 — maintain control and adequate speed for steerage when approaching from the south. The Nassau narrows are 45 feet wide with a controlling depth of 6 feet, formed by concrete walls. Do not attempt to pass oncoming vessels in the narrows. Sound carefully in the anchorage bay to confirm 8-foot depth before setting the hook.
Have photos of Nassau Mills — Lock 22?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comNassau Mills — Lock 22 — Video Guide Coming Soon
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