Trent-Severn Lock 43 to 44, Big Chute Waterfront

Trent-Severn Waterway: Lock 43 to Lock 44

This stretch of the Trent-Severn Waterway runs about 13 kilometres down the Severn River, from Lock 43 Swift Rapids, past Severn Falls, to Lock 44, the Big Chute Marine Railway (Parks Canada, n.d.-c, n.d.-d, n.d.-f). Big Chute is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site and is the only marine railway of its kind in North America, lifting boats an average of 17.7 metres (Parks Canada, n.d.-d).

This guide covers what is for sale along this stretch right now and what to check before you buy waterfront here: who owns the riverbed, which permits a dock needs, water access, and the conservation reserve along the north shore. Kimberly lives in Orillia and owns waterfront herself.

Homes for sale on the Severn River

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Listings in Severn, Georgian Bay Township, Gravenhurst and Muskoka Lakes where the MLS® System records the Severn River as the water body, updated as listings change. The MLS® System treats the river as one water body, so this list can include homes outside this stretch; Kimberly can confirm where a listing sits. A listing entered without a water body will not appear here, so search all waterfront in Severn, Georgian Bay, Gravenhurst and Muskoka Lakes as well. Registered clients also see sold prices and more listing details.

The waterway and its shorelines

The Township of Severn, in the northern corner of Simcoe County, holds the south shore: Lock 43 sits at the far north-west corner of its Ward 5, and Severn Falls and Big Chute are in Ward 1 (Township of Severn, n.d.-d). Across the river, in the District of Muskoka, the Severn River Conservation Reserve takes in 9,927 hectares of Crown land whose southern boundary is the river, within the Township of Georgian Bay, the Town of Gravenhurst and the Township of Muskoka Lakes (Government of Ontario, n.d.; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2005).

Much of the reserve’s southern border along the river abuts private land, which is not part of the reserve (Government of Ontario, n.d.). Parks Canada lists the Severn River among the waterbodies under its jurisdiction (Parks Canada, 2007), and Ontario Power Generation runs the Big Chute Generating Station on the river near Severn Falls (Ontario Power Generation, n.d.-a).

Which municipality a property sits in also matters day to day: it sets the zoning, the building and septic permits, and the property tax rate. The same river can come with quite different rules on either side.

What to check before you buy between Lock 43 and Lock 44

Waterfront on this stretch comes with questions an inland home never raises, and some that only water-access property does. These are the ones Kimberly works through with every buyer here, early, before conditions run out.

Where the lot ends

Parks Canada owns and has jurisdiction over the bed of the Trent-Severn Waterway up to the original upper controlled water elevation, and a title search is needed to confirm how far a property’s ownership extends (Parks Canada, n.d.-b). In Georgian Bay Township, many waterfront lots also have a 20-metre shore road allowance that the Township owns unless an abutting owner has bought it, and the owner is responsible for confirming which applies (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-d).

Docks, boathouses and shoreline work

All work on, under and over the bed and waters of the waterway needs a Parks Canada permit, no in-water structure is grandfathered, and Parks Canada advises applying several months ahead (Parks Canada, n.d.-b). Severn requires a building permit for docks and boathouses, with the Parks Canada permit first (Township of Severn, n.d.-a). Georgian Bay Township may require Ministry of Natural Resources, Trent-Severn Waterway and Fisheries and Oceans approvals before a building permit, and an approved zoning certificate (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-b).

Water-access property

Georgian Bay Township’s site plan application asks water-access applicants where they will park and dock (Township of Georgian Bay, 2026), and 911 signs must be visible at the driveway or dock (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-a). The Township’s Whites Falls Road lot, across from Big Chute Marina, allows parking for up to 7 consecutive days (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-c). Confirm where you will park, launch and store a boat before you buy.

Next to the conservation reserve

Sale of Crown land inside the Severn River Conservation Reserve is generally not permitted, and hunting continues as an accepted use (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2005). Creating the reserve does not restrict new docks and water systems for neighbouring private land, though a provincial work permit may still be needed (Government of Ontario, n.d.).

Water level and dam safety

Parks Canada manages water levels and flows on the waterway, including for hydro-electric generation (Parks Canada, n.d.-g). Ontario Power Generation warns that water near its dams can rise within seconds, and never to anchor or tie up below a dam (Ontario Power Generation, n.d.-b).

Septic and water systems

Georgian Bay Township requires a permit for any septic system and runs a discretionary inspection program for waterfront properties, including water-access ones (Township of Georgian Bay, n.d.-e). In Severn, the discretionary re-inspection program that covered the Severn River was suspended at the June 17, 2026 Council meeting (Township of Severn, n.d.-c). Ask for permit records, and make inspection and water testing part of your conditions.

Kimberly is a REALTOR®, not a lawyer, surveyor or permitting authority. This checklist is a starting point for your own due diligence with those professionals and agencies.

On and around the water

Big Chute

Boaters wait at the blue line and follow the operator’s instructions, often given over a P.A. system (Parks Canada, n.d.-e). Big Chute has large grounds for picnicking and boater camping, and Parks Canada credits it with helping halt the spread of sea lamprey to inland lakes (Parks Canada, n.d.-d).

Paddling

Severn’s Severn River water trail begins at the municipal dock in Severn Falls, and the township warns the waterway can be busy with motorboats (Township of Severn, n.d.-b). Parks Canada’s route notes powerboat wakes and strong winds where the river widens (Parks Canada, n.d.-f).

Boating the waterway

Upstream, Lock 43 Swift Rapids leads to Sparrow Lake and Lake Couchiching (Parks Canada, n.d.-c). Below Big Chute, the waterway continues to Port Severn and Georgian Bay. In 2026 the locks run from May 15 to October 12 (Parks Canada, n.d.-a).

Services nearby

Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland has a 24-hour emergency department (Georgian Bay General Hospital, n.d.). Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is at 170 Colborne Street West in Orillia (Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, n.d.), and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital is at 75 Ann Street in Bracebridge (Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, n.d.).

Thinking about this stretch of the Severn?

Kimberly helps buyers compare frontage, exposure, water depth, access and shoreline permits, and helps owners price Severn River waterfront using recent sales. She owns waterfront herself, so she knows the questions from both sides.

Based in Orillia · Serving Simcoe County, Georgian Bay & Muskoka · Georgian Bay community guide

Questions people ask about Lock 43 to Lock 44

Where is the stretch between Lock 43 and Lock 44?

It is about 13 kilometres of the Severn River on the Trent-Severn Waterway, from Lock 43 Swift Rapids, past Severn Falls, to Lock 44, the Big Chute Marine Railway. The Township of Severn holds the south shore. The north shore is in the District of Muskoka, where the Severn River Conservation Reserve, bounded by the river, lies within the Township of Georgian Bay, the Town of Gravenhurst and the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

What is the Big Chute Marine Railway?

Big Chute is Lock 44 of the Trent-Severn Waterway and part of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site. Instead of a lock chamber, a three-storey carriage carries boats in slings over a height of land, lifting them an average of 17.7 metres. Parks Canada calls it the only marine railway of its kind in North America.

Who owns the riverbed in front of a property?

Parks Canada lists the Severn River among the waterbodies under its jurisdiction and owns the bed of the Trent-Severn Waterway up to the original upper controlled water elevation. Where private ownership ends on a particular property is confirmed by a title search, and in Georgian Bay Township a 20-metre shore road allowance may also sit between the lot and the water.

Do I need a permit to build a dock?

Yes, usually more than one. Parks Canada requires a permit for docks, boathouses, boat lifts, shoreline stabilization and dredging on the waterway, and no in-water structure is grandfathered. Severn requires a building permit for docks and boathouses, and Georgian Bay Township may require provincial and federal approvals before it issues a building permit.

What is the Severn River Conservation Reserve?

It is 9,927 hectares of Crown land in the District of Muskoka whose southern boundary is the Severn River. Private land along the river is not part of the reserve, and the reserve does not restrict new docks and water systems for neighbouring private land, though a provincial work permit may still be needed.