The Peterborough Lift Lock, constructed in 1904, is the highest hydraulic lock in the world with a rise of 19.8 meters. Between modern day Trent University and Little Lake.   the water level drops approximately 20 meters. A conventional lock can only raise or lower a boat 6 to 8 meters at a time, while a lift lock can raise or lower a boat over 20 meters in the same time; The decision was made to build a single and extraordinarily tall lift lock to reduce the number of locks required for a boat to climb or drop from one end of Peterborough to the other.

The Lift Lock was built under difficult conditions: bad weather, general inexperience and poor working relations between the contractors and canal staff made this impressive endeavour even more challenging. The workers used the latest technologies of the time; for example, steam shovels and rivet guns, but the working conditions were dangerous and the scaffolding and supports were crude and rickety. Overall it took 8 years to construct the lift lock. Amazingly, only one person died during the construction. Both the business community and the city continue to use the Lift Lock to promote Peterborough. It is a symbol of the town and is one of the area’s largest tourist attractions.