Thanks to Greg (Canada) for sending this to me last night...
NAVIGATION SEASON OPENING DELAYED
TRENT-SEVERN WATERWAY
Peterborough, Ontario, May 13, 2009 - The Superintendent of the Trent-Severn Waterway advises that a wet spring and recent heavy rains, has resulted in the Trent-Severn Waterway being unable to fully open in time for the traditional start to the navigation season on Friday, May 15, 2009. Water levels and river currents are well above safe navigation limits for most of the Waterway. As a result, many sections of the canal will remain closed until further notice when water levels subside.
A re-evaluation of the water situation across the entire Waterway corridor from Port Severn to Trenton will be made daily while these conditions persist.
Closed lock stations include Lock 30 known as Lovesick, south to the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge north of Peterborough, and from Lock 19 south of Peterborough to Lock 1 in Trenton. As well, all locks on the Severn River are closed from Lock 42 near Washago to Lock 45 at Port Severn.
Stations on the Trent-Severn Waterway that are scheduled to open this Friday include all locks and bridges from and including Lock 31 in Buckhorn west to Lake Simcoe, Lock 20 and the Peterborough Lift Lock, the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge and the Murray Canal.
Boaters may experience some operational delays at the open lock stations as a result of staff making adjustments at nearby dams.
Boaters should operate with care when out on the water. Areas above and below water control dams should be avoided due to strong currents. Navigation buoys may be out of position or partially submerged. A special note of caution – the lock valves at Lock 42 at Couchiching are open and generating fast currents above and below this lock.
Parks Canada will continue to work diligently to move water and achieve desired water levels and flows as quickly as possible.
The general public is also advised that the fast water above and below canal dams and in river reaches is extremely dangerous. Parents are asked to warn children to stay away from riverbanks and canal control structures.
Further advisories will be issued as necessary.
-30-
Information:
Mike Jamieson
Acting Director, Canal Operations
Trent-Severn Waterway
(705) 750-4900
Dave Ness
Water Control Engineer
Trent-Severn Waterway
(705) 750-4900
(Also available on the Internet at
www.pc.gc.ca/trent under What’s New.)
Martin