⚓ Wood Bay & Pretty Channel (Big Chute)

📍 44.894°N, 79.617°W ⬇ Depth: 2.1–3.7 m 7–12 ft ◆ Good scenic anchorages behind Austin Island in Coop Bay area. ✓ Overnight OK
Depth 2.1–3.7 m 7–12 ft
Holding Good
Nearest Lock #44  Big Chute Marine Railway
Scenic ★★★★☆
Mile MM 229.2
⚓ Navigation Disclaimer: The pin shown on this page marks the general location of this anchorage for reference only. It does not indicate a recommended anchoring position or safe water. The skipper is solely responsible for selecting an appropriate spot to anchor based on current, accurate nautical charts and on-the-water conditions. Always consult up-to-date CHS charts and Notices to Mariners before making anchoring decisions.
§1

Overview — Wood Bay & Pretty Channel (Big Chute)

Wood Bay and Pretty Channel offer good, scenic anchorages behind Austin Island in the Coop Bay area, near Big Chute (Lock 44). Combined with Lost Channel, these provide multiple overnight options when the Big Chute lock walls are full.

GPS Coordinates44.894°N, 79.617°W ⚠ Unverified
Water BodySevern River — Coop Bay
RegionSevern
Mile MarkerMM 229.2 (from Veterans Skyway Bridge)
Depth Range 2.1–3.7 m 7–12 ft — TSWIDB
Holding QualityGood
Nearest Lock Lock 44 — Big Chute Marine Railway  (~3 km)
Overnight✓ Overnight OK
§2

Wind Protection Assessment

Good scenic anchorages behind Austin Island in Coop Bay area.

Current: None
Wake exposure: Minimal
§4

Practical Information

🔴 Mooring Balls: No ⛴ Free Dock: No
🐶 Is this anchorage pet friendly?

Nearest provisioning: Big Chute Marina — variety grocery, restaurant, propane

§5

Waterway Context & Nearby Locks

Wood Bay is near Big Chute, home to the famous marine railway that lifts boats 58 feet.

LockNameDirectionDistanceLift
#44 Big Chute Marine RailwayAdjacent~3 km 17.7 m58 ft
#45 Port SevernNorthwest~13 km 3.7 m12 ft
§6

Location Map

⚓ GPS: 44.894°N, 79.617°W  ⚠ Approximate  ·  Get Directions ↗  ·  Street View ↗  ·  For navigation use CHS Chart — this map is reference only.
§7

🧤 Captain’s Anchorage Notes

These are the overflow anchorages for the Big Chute area. Big Chute walls have limited overnight mooring — two floating docks above, one floating dock plus a wall below. If those are full, Wood Bay and Pretty Channel deliver good scenery and adequate protection.

Big Chute itself is the high point for many Great Loop cruisers — get your cameras ready for the marine railway.

§9

📷 Photo Gallery

Have photos of Wood Bay & Pretty Channel (Big Chute)?

💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.com
§10

🌄 Live Weather

📍 Centered on: 44.894°N, 79.617°W  ·  🌎 Default layer: Wind (ECMWF)  ·  Toggle temperature & radar via layer selector  ·  Zoom level: 11
Weather data for planning purposes only. Always check Environment and Climate Change Canada ↗ for official marine forecasts.
§11

▶️ Video Guide

▶

Wood Bay & Pretty Channel (Big Chute) — Video Guide Coming Soon

Subscribe to @trentsevernguide for anchorage walkthroughs.

📌 SEO Suggested Title: “Wood Bay & Pretty Channel (Big Chute) | Trent-Severn Waterway Anchorage Guide — Great Loop Canada”
📌 Keywords: Wood Bay & Pretty Channel (Big Chute) TSW, Trent-Severn anchorage, anchoring Severn River — Coop Bay, Great Loop Canada anchorage, Captain Dustin TSW guide, AGLCA Trent Severn
§12

📝 Boater Reports

Anchored here recently? Help fellow cruisers with a quick report — depth readings, holding quality, wake conditions, and any hazards you noticed.

Boater reports are currently closed for this anchorage.

Continue Your Journey

← Anchorage Index
All Anchorages
Nearby Lock ↗
Lock 44 — Big Chute Marine Railway
Nearby Lock ↗
Lock 45 — Port Severn
Anchorage Index →
All Anchorages
⚠ Report an Error on This Page