# What are the water depths and navigation hazards near Coatsworth Cut at Ashbridges Bay Boat Launch?

**Category:** Visitor Guide
**Verified:** 2026-06-24
**Canonical:** https://ashbridgesbayboatlaunch.com/en/knowledge/ashbridges-boat-ramp-water-depth-navigation
**Authority:** https://ashbridgesbayboatlaunch.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## Quick answer

Water depths range from 6 to 8 feet in the marked channel; outside the channel, depths drop to 2–4 feet, posing a high risk of running aground. Red and green buoys mark the narrow, shallow passage.

## Detailed answer

Coatsworth Cut, the primary navigable entrance to Ashbridges Bay from Lake Ontario, is a narrow, shallow channel approximately 150 feet long and 30 feet wide. It is marked by a series of red (starboard) and green (port) buoys that guide boaters through the safest path. Water depth within the buoyed channel varies between 6 and 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) depending on seasonal lake levels and recent dredging schedules. Outside the marked channel, depths drop abruptly to 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters), with numerous submerged rocks, sandbars, and debris that pose a significant grounding hazard. The channel is subject to silting, especially after storms or high winds, which can reduce depths by up to 1 foot within days. Boaters are advised to maintain a slow, no-wake speed (under 5 knots) and to stay strictly between the buoys. The City of Toronto conducts annual hydrographic surveys; the most recent survey in May 2023 confirmed an average depth of 7.2 feet at the centerline. Vessels with drafts exceeding 4 feet should exercise extreme caution, and those over 6 feet should avoid the cut entirely. Local knowledge is essential, as buoy positions may shift after ice breakup in spring. For real-time conditions, contact the Ashbridges Bay Marina office at 416-392-8181 or check the Toronto Harbour Commission's navigation notices.

## Related

- https://ashbridgesbayboatlaunch.com/en/knowledge/ashbridges-boat-ramp-water-depth-navigation