The Ballard Locks

On going research from Lake Washington has helped in a number of changes to the operation of the Locks to lower fish endangerment. Strobe lights have been installed around the filling culvert entrances, which divert the fish away from harm. An exit for young salmon over the spillway has been provided by four smolt flumes near the fish ladder. One smolt flume has been tested for the past four years and has provided safe transport for up to 500,000 smolts each spring. Also, during smolt migrations, the locks are filled at a slower rate, reducing the possibility of the smolts drawn in by the current and barnacles have been removed from the walls of the filling culverts to provide safer passage if smolts do get drawn in. These efforts continue to help our natural resources and wildlife.

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, known locally as the Ballard Locks, lift and lower all types of boats, pleasure craft, research vessels, and even kayaks between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of Lake Union. You can watch the boats from just a few feet away. This is probably the closest you can get unless you're actually on a boat.

When you're through with the boats, the Carl S. English Jr. Ornamental Gardens span approximately 7 acres, with more than 1,000 species of native and exotic trees, shrubs, flowers and plants.

Like fishing? You can't do that here, but you'll want to when you see the salmon and trout swimming up the fish ladder on their seasonal migration. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the Locks and has been working with state and federal resource agencies, and forums to improve fish passage, as well as boost fish survival in the Lake Washington watershed. 25% of the $2 million project is paid by local funds, the rest is covered by the federal government.