In the beautiful City of Kawartha Lakes there exists a nationally significant singularity.
In the serene waters of Balsam Lake, in the heart of the Trent-Severn Waterway, lies Canada's highest body of fresh water from which one can circumnavigate the world. Whether you travel west toward Lake Simcoe or east into Cameron Lake, both ways are downstream from Balsam Lake.
While there are two higher global navigable rivers, Balsam Lake is the only spot that gives the skipper the choice to go east to the Atlantic Ocean, west to the Pacific Ocean, south to the Caribbean Sea or north to the Arctic Ocean. What makes this most unique is the fact that from this point, one can circumnavigate the world, by seaworthy vessel, without ever having to travel on land.
After the Coon Rapids Dam, Mississippi River in Upper Mississippi (which is considered the limit of commercial navigation) and the Danube River where it connects with the Rhine Main Danube Canal in Kelheim Bavaria, Germany, the next highest point of fresh water in the world is Balsam Lake in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
To acknowldge the significance of this hydrologic feature in Kawartha Lakes, an intereactive sign and photo opportunity has been erected on the Municipal Dock on Balsam Lake in Coboconk, Ontario, found at coordinatates N 44 39.476N -78 47.815W. There is a large outline of a boat that people can stand in front of to have their picture taken - it’s a fun, family-friendly attraction.
Hope to see you soon at Canada's Fresh Water Summit!