
Lock 36 - Kirkfield
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
May 15, 2023 - MODIFIED LOCKAGES TO START THE 2023 SEASON
On September 2, 2022, the Kirkfield Lift Lock site was closed due to a mechanical failure. Since then, construction crews have been on-site working to restore the asset to full operation. While repairs are progressing well, Parks Canada wishes to advise boaters that expedited single-chamber lockages will be in place for the beginning of the 2023 season.
These single-chamber lockages will operate on demand and are estimated to take approximately 60 minutes. This timing will be finalized upon the final commissioning of a new pump installation. In addition, short delays may be experienced as vessels are grouped for each transfer. Boaters are being requested to remain on their vessels during the transfer and listen carefully to all instructions provided by lock staff.
Given the current conditions and with construction activities expected to continue outside of regular hours of operation, overnight mooring is not recommended at this time, and boaters are encouraged to moor at adjacent lockstations. If boaters should decide to moor at the Kirkfield Lift Lock site, they will be placed on the upper reach of the Lift Lock but will be able to access the grounds and public washrooms via the south stairs from the upper reach.
For land-based visitors, due to the requirements of the construction project, the public parking lot at the lockstation will be closed until further notice. Visitors to the site are also asked to respect any temporary restrictions to the grounds that may be in place for the construction project.
Past News
The historic Kirkfield Lift Lock is located a few kilometres north of the Village of Kirkfield. The Kirkfield Lift Lock is the second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres (49 ft). The lock is situated at the highest point along the Waterway at 256.20 meters (840.5 ft) above sea level. Most boaters prefer to stay on the lower reach to avoid the stairs and gain easy access to the washrooms.
Getting here
- Address: 2023 Kirkfield Road, County Road #6, Kirkfield, Ontario
- Nautical chart: #2025 (more on Nautical charts)
- Kilometer marker: 272.6 km (mile 169.4)
- GPS: 44°35'23.0"N 78°59'24.0"W
Hours of Operation
Contact:
- Phone number: (705) 438 - 3126
- Email address: trentsevern@pc.gc.ca
Navigational data
- Lock length: 42.2 m (138 ft)
- Lock width: 10.2 m (33 ft)
- Average lift: 14.9 m (49 ft)
- Max. mooring period: 2 nights
Facilities and services
Facilities and services at this lockstation are currently limited due to ongoing construction work
- Overnight mooring (not recommended)
- No camping
- Washrooms
- Potable water
- Picnic area - Not available (construction)
- Visitor information
History

Constructed: 1900-1905
Part of the Simcoe-Balsam Lake section, the contract for the Kirkfield Lift Lock was awarded to Larkin and Sangster. Unlike the Peterborough Lift Lock, this construction utilized metal frames rather than concrete towers to guide the metal tubs. Today the site is located in the middle of the Carden Alvar, where spring floods and dry summers provide a unique habitat for many rare species.
Tourism information
- Beaverton District Chamber of Commerce
Phone number: (705) 426-2051
- City of Kawartha Lakes
Phone number: (705) 324-9411 or 1-888-822-2225
- Kawarthas Northumberland
Google Street View
Related links
- Lock 1 - Trenton
- Lock 2 - Sydney
- Lock 3 - Glen Miller
- Lock 4 - Batawa
- Lock 5 - Trent
- Lock 6 - Frankford
- Lock 7 - Glen Ross
- Lock 8 - Percy Reach
- Lock 9 - Meyers
- Lock 10 - Hagues Reach
- Lock 11-12 - Ranney Falls
- Lock 13 - Campbellford
- Lock 14 - Crowe Bay
- Lock 15 - Healey Falls
- Lock 16 / 17 - Healey Falls Flight Lock
- Lock 18 - Hastings
- Lock 19 - Scotts Mills
- Lock 20 - Ashburnham
- Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock
- Lock 22 - Nassau Mills
- Lock 23 - Otonabee
- Lock 24 - Douro
- Lock 25 - Sawer Creek
- Lock 26 - Lakefield
- Lock 27 - Young's Point
- Lock 28 - Burleigh Falls
- Lock 30 - Lovesick
- Lock 31 - Buckhorn
- Lock 32 - Bobcaygeon
- Lock 33 - Lindsay
- Lock 34 - Fenelon Falls
- Lock 35 - Rosedale
- Lock 37 - Bolsover
- Lock 38 - Talbot
- Lock 39 - Portage
- Lock 40 - Thorah
- Lock 41 - Gamebridge
- Lock 42 - Couchiching
- Lock 43 - Swift Rapids
- Lock 44 - Big Chute Marine Railway
- Lock 45 - Port Severn
- Date modified :