The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, or Ballard Locks, is a complex of locks at the west end of Salmon Bay, in Seattle, Washington’s Lake Washington Ship Canal, between the neighborhoods of Ballard to the north and Magnolia to the south.
Click to enlarge.
The Ballard Locks carry more boat traffic than any other lock in the US, and the Locks, along with the fish ladder and the surrounding Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens attract more than one million visitors annually, making it one of Seattle’s top tourist attractions. The construction of the locks profoundly reshaped the topography of Seattle and the surrounding area, lowering the water level of Lake Washington and Lake Union by 8.8 feet (2.7 m), adding miles of new waterfront land, reversing the flow of rivers, and leaving piers in the eastern half of Salmon Bay high and dry. The Locks are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the American Society of Civil Engineers Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks.
The Locks were built for and give priority to emergency and commercial vessels. Passage is free to all vessels. The large and small locks are open 24/7 every day, except during annual maintenance.
The Large Lock Chambers can handle vessels and tows around 700 ft. long x 78 ft. wide. The Small Lock Chamber can handle vessels around 100 ft. long x 26 ft. wide. (See note below about individual situations).
“Locking Through” for the first time or with an expensive boat can be very intimidating, especially at low tides. The Small Lock Chamber is easier as you just tie up to the side walls that float up or down.
However on a busy summer weekend you might end up in the large lock with many vessels of all sizes, including large ocean tugs during low tide, so it is best to be well prepared. …always carry a couple of 50 ft. lines aboard.
You can contact the Lockmaster Control Tower on Marine Channel #13 or 206-783-7000 (24 hrs per day)
West Entrance view
East Entrance View
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