The CSL Assiniboine was anchored in the St. Lawrence River just off shore of Ault Island on Sun., Jan. 4, 2026, awaiting its turn to continue its exit from the Seaway before it closes for the season. Tinkess Photo
SOUTH DUNDAS – Cold weather, wind, and icy conditions in the St. Lawrence River and on Lake Ontario have caused headaches for the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority as the inland waterway attempts to wrap up the 2025 season.
The Montreal to Lake Ontario portion of the Seaway had been scheduled to close as of 12:00 on Mon., Jan. 5, 2026, but it now looks like that deadline will have to be extended incrementally and under special arrangements with the vessels that remain within the system.
At the time of the writing of this article, two ships were anchored at Wilson Hill, eight at Cape Vincent, three at St. Zotique, and three at Prescott. This does not include ships waiting in ports, or in transit.
At 23:59 Jan. 4, the number of ocean vessels above St. Lambert was 11 as compared to 1 in 2024.
The Seaway opened for navigation in 2025 on March 22, its 67th season of operation. The scheduled closing date this year is among the latest closure dates experienced since The Seaway opened in 1958. Mild winters and later freeze-ups in recent years many have led to this year’s projected closing date, but the practice will have to be examined closely going forward. Weather patterns from year-to-year have become more unpredictable.
Currently, ice conditions in the Montreal-Lake Ontario section are widespread throughout the system, including the lakes, canals, and anchorage areas. Ice is present in the Welland Canal.
In the Montreal-Lake Ontario section, Mariners are advised that one-way convoys are in effect on the lakes and in all canals, and anchorage availability is limited. Pointe-Fortier and Saint-Zotique anchorages are limited to a maximum of three vessels each.
While the early ice covering has been problematic for shipping, it has also encouraged some to venture onto the ice for various recreational purposes, such as ice fishing and snowmobiling. With that in mind it was reinforced to vessels still exiting The Seaway to proceed through all ice-covered areas at the slowest safe speed in order not to disturb the ice fields.
In the meantime, every effort is being made to allow ships within the system to make their way clear or make arrangements for overwintering.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
