The Trent-Severn Waterway navigation season will begin with a phased opening this year as Parks Canada continues to deal with unusually high water levels across the system.
Officials say the 2026 navigation season will begin May 15, but several sections of the waterway, including locks 42 through 45, will remain closed due to ongoing safety concerns tied to elevated water flows.
Parks Canada says increased precipitation during March and April, combined with significant snowpack throughout the Trent and Severn watersheds, has delayed efforts to bring water levels closer to seasonal averages.
The agency says the staged opening is intended to protect boater safety while also helping reduce shoreline erosion and property damage experienced by residents and businesses along the waterway.
While some lockstations will open for navigation beginning May 15, Parks Canada notes that waterways near closed lockstations should still be considered unsafe due to strong currents and elevated flows.
All lockstations, however, will remain open for land-based visitation.
Officials say water conditions remain dynamic and openings may change depending on additional rainfall and weather conditions in the coming weeks.
Boaters, paddlers, and swimmers are also being reminded to use caution around the system, with warnings that floating debris may still be present and some navigation aids may not yet be fully positioned.
Parks Canada says crews continue working to safely reopen the full navigation system as quickly as conditions allow.
Updated lockstation information and navigation notices will be shared daily through Parks Canada’s website and social media channels.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
