Severn River (Georgian Bay)

The Severn River is a river in central Ontario. Its headwaters are located at the north end of Lake Couchiching. It drains Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. The river flows generally northwest into Georgian Bay, a large bay of Lake Huron. The Severn forms part of the inland canal system known as the Trent-Severn Waterway, which links Port Severn on Georgian Bay with Trenton on Lake Ontario via the Trent Canal. From the middle of the 19th century up until the completion of the canal in 1920, the Severn was used to transport logs to sawmills down river. There are two hydroelectric stations at falls located on its course. The central Ontario Severn River is only 30 km (20 miles) long. The Severn River mainly consists of seasonal cottagers, as many of the properties are accessable only by boat. Some year-round residents live on the Severn, but these are few and far between. Many cottagers enjoy activities such as boating, water-skiing, wakeboarding, wakeskating, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and picnicing. The river sees many yachts/cruisers travelling from Lake Couchiching to Georgian Bay, or vice-versa. Big Chute Marine Railway is one of only two operating marine-railways in all of the world. The other operates in Russia. The Big Chute is a major tourist attraction, and provides acces to and from Gloucester Pool, below the Severn. The River sees many overnight campers, although it must be noted that OVERNIGHT CAMPING IS PROHIBITED on many sections of the Severn, including Lost Channel and Pretty Channel. This law is enforced by police supervision.

See also