Lock 42 — Lock 42 – Couchiching

⚠ Hamlet Swing Bridge — 8 ft (2.4 m) clearance when closed — approach is hazardous. Southbound vessels from the Severn River encounter the Hamlet Swing Bridge before reaching Lock 42. Current beneath this bridge is strong and variable — it shifts with lock cycles and water levels. Reduce speed to bare steerage well before the bridge. Announce your approach by signal or VHF. Do not enter until the bridge is fully open and you have assessed the current. Hold your angle into the current on approach.

⚠ CNR Railroad Swing Bridge — 14 ft (4.3 m) clearance when closed. Must open before transit. Active rail line. Signal well in advance and wait for full opening confirmation before proceeding.

⚠ High-speed traffic in Bowling Alley canal on departure. After ascending through Lock 42 heading south, vessels exit into the 2-mile Bowling Alley canal toward Lake Couchiching. Local powerboats routinely exceed the 6 mph speed limit. Expect wakes from overtaking and oncoming traffic in the narrow channel. Stay to your starboard side and maintain firm steerage throughout.

• BELOW LOCK: Blue line staging. Confirm wall with lock staff.
• Mooring below lock.
• Max mooring: 2 nights. No shore power. Potable water on-site.

⚠ Sudden storms and squalls frequent on Lake Couchiching. The crossing from The Narrows to the canal entrance is exposed. Check weather with canal staff at Lock 42 or marina operators at The Narrows before departing. Exercise seamanlike caution in small craft.

⚠ High-speed traffic in narrow canal — maintain control and expect wakes. The northbound approach to Lock 42 runs through the 2-mile “Bowling Alley” — a straight, narrow canal from Lake Couchiching. The 6 mph speed limit is routinely exceeded by local and day-use powerboats. Wakes rebound off the canal walls and create confused chop with no warning. Stay to your starboard side, maintain firm steerage, and be prepared to absorb wakes throughout the entire approach. Do not cut throttle suddenly in the middle of the canal.

⚠ Hamlet Swing Bridge below Lock 42 — 8 ft (2.4 m) clearance when closed — approach is hazardous. After descending through the lock, the Hamlet Swing Bridge is the next structure encountered heading toward the Severn River. Current beneath this bridge can be significant and variable. Reduce speed to bare steerage well before the bridge. Announce your approach. Do not enter the bridge aperture until it is fully open and you have assessed the current. Hold your approach angle into the current — do not let cross-current push you into the bridge structure.

⚠ CNR Railroad Swing Bridge — 14 ft (4.3 m) clearance when closed, active rail traffic. This bridge must be opened before transit. Signal well in advance. Do not proceed past the CNR bridge until it is fully open. Clearance when closed is only 14 ft — will catch tall vessels.

⚠ Muskoka Road bridge on approach from Lake Couchiching: 22 ft (6.7 m) clearance. Fixed highway bridge at the canal entrance south of Lock 42. Confirm air draft before entering the canal.

⚠ Bridge 56 at lock — 31 ft (9.4 m) fixed clearance. Overhead power cable — 33 ft (10.1 m) clearance. Confirm air draft before entering the lock from above.

• ABOVE LOCK: Blue line staging. Confirm wall with lock staff.
• Mooring above lock in canal setting.
• Max mooring: 2 nights (1-night limit during peak season — confirm with lock staff). No shore power. Potable water, washrooms, showers, ice on-site.
• Lock 42 Grill restaurant: ~100 m walk. Only walkable service near the lock.