CAUTION Dangerous Conditions entrance to the Trent Canal east side of Lake Simcoe mile 182.2. Westerly winds exceeding 17 knots create hazardous conditions between the breakwaters!

Lake Simcoe is 19 miles long, 16 miles wide making a total area on the order of 325 sq. miles with a shoreline of 144 miles. Lake Simcoe is the largest lake on the Trent Severn Waterway and the fourth largest lake in Ontario. Lake Simcoe has 7 islands with Georgia being the largest. The lake is fed from 35 streams or rivers which drain over 1,200 square miles of watershed with control dams at Couchiching Lock and Washago.

If you are traveling the Trent Severn Waterway it is 28 miles from mile 182.2 where the canal enters the lake on the east shore near Gamebridge to Lock 42. For those of you who have spent a week or so in the canal it is time to put on your seaman’s hat as Lake Simcoe has few defining shore characteristics. Above all it is important to remember that Lake Simcoe is KNOWN for downright scary storms when the wind picks up. Make no mistake, this is not a lake to be trifled with. If the weather is bad stay put.

Generaly your course crossing the north east section of the Lake Simcoe should be on a heading of 308°T upbound for Orillia and 128°T downnbound for the Trent Severn entrance. Above all you want to remain aat least one mile offshore to avoid the shoals. There are 4 major shoal areas that require caution and a devation from a direct course. Near the entrance to the canal lies Mara Shoal and further north are a series of 3 begining with Maynards Shoal 15' marked by STB, Whisky Shoal with a 6' depth over a rock, and Trout Shoal S323 off Strawberry Island with a depth of 3'.

Beaverton to Atherley Narrows

Lights:

East shore Trent Severn Waterway entrance. Canal Entrance Light is located on the outer end of the north pier. Shown at an elevation of 54' (16.5 M) on a white skeleton tower. West breakwater light has elevation of 5' from a horizontal support extending several feet over the water. East Breakwater light is located using the same manner at an elevation of 5' from south entrance pier. When approaching from the lake at night be aware that the swing bridge located at the east end of the breakwater basin, at the canal entrance shows both red and green lights from its middle. Do not mistake the bridge lights for the breakwater lights.

The picture is the Lake Simcoe shore north of the Trent Severn entrance at mile 182. The Trent-Severn Waterway passes through Lake Simcoe from the mouth of the canal outside of Gamebridge lock to the Atherley Narrows a distance of about 16 miles. The shore of the lake tends to be fairly flat and wooded with cottages lining the shore.

Coming out of the canal you want to head pretty much straight out on a heading of about 315°T toward Thorah Island where you may be able to see the light on the end of the public dock. Thorah Island is heavily wooded with an interesting history before the current cottagers including a period of white lightning stills and a fanaticaly male religous group. There is a public landing on the east side facing the canal entranc, however CAUTION should be used as there is a shoal extending from the SE point to red buoy SG2. The Island has several areas visiting boats can anchor two on the west side have sandy beaches but are exposed to the prevailing winds making overnight stays a bit too dicey. THe aancchorages are popular due to their easy distance from shore marinas so you may have trouble finding a spot with swing room. You waant to saty a faair bit off as the water shoals gradgualy to the beach. The bast places are between South Point and Eagle Point, or to the north on the other side of Woodman Shoal (6') between Eagle Point and Woodman Point.

You want to continue for roughly one mile before begining a wide arc northward leaving at least 1.3 miles distance to Mara Point to avoid a 1 foot shoal that extends offshore from the point. As you make your turn watch for the fairway marker STD which shows an occluding light with a "dash dot dash" secquence. If this is your first crossing of lake Simcoe a good guideline for determining your course is the water tower astern in Beaverton and ahead beyond Shingle Bay.

Ahead about 3 miles look for STB with a light flashing Morse code A. Clearing the STB marker you are on a course that will take you into Trout Shoal approximatley two miles away. At about a mile beyond STB correction to 294°T at will take you out until structure buoy S323 (FIG) is abeam off the shoal.

Watch for the three buoys to starboard SM5 off McGinnis Reef, SM3 out towards Whiskey Shoal and SM1 at Dry Shoal Island to set your reference point for the course correction.

Arriving off of Trout Shoal at S323 alter your course to 342°T towords Atherley Narrows. You should be able to pick up the fairway marker STA with its light flashing Morse code A. On your east is McRae Provincial park on McRae Point and the entrance to McPhee Bay.

Here there are two marinas. On the north side of McRae Point is Marina Del Ray. Further to the east tucked under Plumb Point isStarport Landing

As you continue north beyond McPhee Bay maintain your heading of 342°T down to marker ST with light flashing Morse code A. On clearing buoy ST select a new course of 18°T towards the Atherley Narrows.

On this course roughly 5 miles from the Trent Severn eentrance your next fairway marker is STC with a light occluding light from Morse code which is about half way. Lagoon City is found on the east shore with a private light (FL) marking the entrance to the harbour.

Lagoon City

Lagoon City is an expansive development with a well established boating community and lifestyle facilities. Locaated just north of Brecken Point most of the waater offshore has adequate deepth for and cruising boat plying the Trent Severn System. Approaching from the lake there are substancial concrete breakwalls that extend outwards for roughly 666 feet. The entrance is well lit with a red daymarket of the souther breakwalls end and a green dadymarker of the north breakwater with a flasshing white light on the north breakwall. Entrance depth is maintained by dredging to roughly 6 feet. There are several facilities within the Lagoon City complex.

Lagoon City Marina (705) 484 5063 is the first marina located close to the end of the breakwall on the south side. For transients it is possible to dock on the wall, however it is not free and you will often find it busy so call ahead on VHF 68 or by cellular. The fuel dock is a little further along and well marked and where you pay for mooring. The marina its self has 277 slips that are both covered and open and able to accomodateup to 60' vessels within a well sheltered "H" shaped inner harbour.

Facilities are extensive with storage for 500 Boats, Fresh water, Hydro, Laundry facilities, Security, Cable TV, Sauna, Swimming pool and a Whirlpools. For the kids there is a Wading Pool, saandy beach and Playground, while adults can enjoy Tennis Courts or enjoy Casual Dining. If you require service you will find a 3,600 sq. ft. Service Shop, a 25 ton Travelift or 10 ton Hydraulic Trailer/Forklift. Licensed & Mercury Trained Technicians with the Mercury Specialty Tools for 40' boats. There is also a Shipwright on premises.

You will find pages and image index's at all stages of development for the next month. Lake Simcoe pages will be devided into 5 sections at this stage of development starting with the templates below.

You will find pages and image index's at all stages of development for the next month. Lake Simcoe pages will be devided into 5 sections at this stage of development starting with the templates below.