Songo River Lock

In 1830 there were thirty locks connecting Long Lake with the Atlantic Ocean via the Cumberland and Oxford Canal. Water transport was a necessity to move the goods produced in the Lakes Region to awaiting boats and trains for distribution. Lumber and apples were ferried to Portland via flat-bottomed canal boats. During the Civil War explosives from Windham’s Oriental Powder Company were moved East via the canal. (The Oriental Powder Company produced twenty-five percent of the Union’s gunpowder.) The sole remaining lock on the Songo River connects Brandy Pond, named for a barrel of brandy lost during transport, and Sebago Lake. Pack a lunch, pack the boat with beverages and a float trip from Long Lake under the bridge in Naples via the old lock system to Sebago is an enjoyable day trip.

Upon reaching the locks, a six dollar fee will be collected by state employees. The locks are manually managed and one is transported down four feet from Brandy Pond to the Songo River in a matter of minutes. A short ride on the Songo brings one to Sebago Lake and the shores of the state park.

Manually Operated Bridge

Exiting the Lock

Fun on the Songo

Enjoying the Ride