Days 326 – 327

Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Sunday, July 17 – Monday, July 18, 2011

 Entering the Peterborough Marina

 At the Peterborough Museum

 Boats on the left are being lowered

Cylinder under the lock chamber

 View of the lock from the Welcome Center

Map at the Welcome Center of the meandering Trent-Severn Waterway

Peterborough is another great stop with a lot of nearby facilities.  We rode our bikes to the Peterborough Museum which covers the history of the area.  We then rode on to the Peterborough Lift Lock (Lock 21 on the Trent Severn Waterway).

The lock was built between 1896 and 1904.  It raises and lowers boats in 2 water-filled chambers, each of which is 140 feet long and holds 228,000 gallons of water weighing 1,700 tons.  The two 7-1/2-foot diameter chamber rams – each with a lifting reach of 65 feet – are connected in a closed water hydraulic system.  Any movement in one chamber must force an equal and opposite movement of the other chamber. 

To transfer boats, the upper chamber is overbalanced by taking on an extra foot of water.  When the valve connecting the hydraulic rams is opened, the heavier upper chamber travels downward, forcing the opposite chamber an equal distance upward.   It is amazing and fascinating to watch.  Even today it is considered an engineering wonder.      

After touring the lock and the lock Welcome Center, we rode back to the boats and enjoyed a melt-in-your-mouth salmon dinner compliments of Bade Boomer, grilled by Chef Carlton.  Yum!        

              

 Total miles:  37.5      Total bridges:   7       Total locks:  1