Big Chute Marine Railway, boat lift
The Big Chute Marine Railway is a boat lift on the Trent-Severn Waterway near Coldwater, Ontario, that raises vessels out of the water and moves them over land to another section of the waterway. The system uses two steel tracks on a steep incline to carry a large cradle holding boats up to 24 feet wide and approximately 100 feet long, lifting them about 60 feet in elevation.
The first system was built in 1917 to carry boats over an elevation change of about 60 feet, though it could only handle smaller vessels. During the 1920s it was expanded to accommodate larger boats, and the current modern system opened in 1978 following a major renovation and upgrade. The present facility uses electric motors and cable systems to safely transport boats up the steep incline.
The railway has been part of local history and regional identity for over a century, serving as a symbol of human ingenuity. Visitors can observe how the community has adapted to geographical challenges through engineering while maintaining the natural landscape around it.
The site is easy to reach by car and clearly marked on nautical charts, while boaters can easily locate it on the water using coordinates. Picnic areas, clean facilities, water access, and ample space to relax are available on-site, making it convenient for both day visitors and those stopping during boat journeys.
The railway has played an unexpected role in protecting local fish populations by blocking the upstream migration of invasive sea lampreys, parasitic fish that damage lakes and rivers. This ecological benefit makes the facility more than just a technical curiosity and shows how infrastructure can provide unforeseen environmental advantages to the region.
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