Lock 02 — Lock 02 – Sidney

Lock 02 Sidney sits on the Trent River at kilometre 3.9, positioned just 1 km0.6 mi upstream of Lock 01 Trenton. It is the second lock northbound boaters encounter after entering the Trent–Severn Waterway from the Bay of Quinte. The lock’s defining feature is its location directly beneath Highway 401 — Canada’s busiest highway crosses overhead, and the continuous hum of traffic is a constant companion during transit. Despite the highway proximity, the lockstation grounds are spacious and well maintained, with a large lawn, picnic area, and camping facilities that make it a surprisingly pleasant stop along the lower waterway.

Lock 02 was constructed between 1908 and 1912 by the contracting firm Larkin & Sangster, the same builders responsible for Lock 01 Trenton and several other structures on the southern section of the waterway. The lock was built in conjunction with the Sydney Power Plant, a hydroelectric generating station that harnessed the waterway control dams at this location. The Government of the day favoured private enterprise for power generation, and a lease was awarded to the Sydney Power Company, which was later acquired by Ontario Hydro. No recent Parks Canada capital works or major rehabilitation projects have been announced for Lock 02 as of early 2026.

Arriving at Lock 02, boaters will find generous tie-up space on both the east and west walls below and above the lock, with the painted blue line marking the approach queue located on the east wall. The upper pool area is notably quieter than the lower approach and offers a more peaceful overnight option compared to the railway noise experienced at Lock 01. The lockstation grounds include washrooms, potable water, a picnic area, visitor information, and tent camping sites — overnight mooring is permitted for up to five nights. Electricity is not available at this lockstation; the first shore power on the TSW is at Lock 06 Frankford. During periods of high water flow, boaters should exercise caution as current at the bottom of the lock can become tricky.

📍 GPS: 44.1299248°N, 77.593872°W · 14 Lock No. 2 Rd, Astra, Ontario, Quinte West, Ontario, ON · Get Directions ↗ · Street View ↗

For navigation, use CHS Chart #2021 — this map is for reference only and should not be used for marine navigation.

Boater Orientation Notes:

• Lock 2 sits beneath the Highway 401 overpass in rural Astra — no walkable amenities within 1 km in any direction.
• All amenities require a taxi or vehicle into downtown Trenton (Quinte West), approximately 3-5 km south (~5-8 min drive).
• No dedicated marine chandlery in Trenton — Canadian Tire (285 Dundas St E) is the best local substitute for boat supplies and propane exchange.
• Metro (53 Quinte St) is the primary full-service provisioning stop, open daily 7am-10pm.
• National Air Force Museum of Canada offers free admission and 40+ historic aircraft — a standout half-day attraction.

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Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Approaching Sidney can be a bit tricky if there’s high current flowing — you can get some turbulence at the bottom of the lock as you enter, especially if there’s a big flow coming out of the dam. Be ready for that. The blue wall is on the east side. Here’s the operational thing to understand about Sidney and the first stretch of locks: in the shoulder seasons (early spring and fall), Locks 01, 02, and 03 are staffed by a single crew that follows you up. You’ll leave Lock 01 and find Lock 02 already open and ready, manned by the same staff who just locked you through. Same pattern continues into Lock 03. Locks 04, 05, and 06 will most likely have a secondary crew working the same way. During peak summer, every lock has its own dedicated staff and this pattern doesn’t apply. What this means in the shoulder seasons is that the group you left Trenton with is the group you’re locking through with for the first six locks. Reinforces why getting away from Lock 01 with the right boats matters. Other than the dam current on approach, Sidney is a no-drama lock.

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 ↗