Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Navigation lock in Ballard, Seattle, United States
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks connect Lake Washington to Puget Sound, managing water levels and enabling vessels to transition between fresh and salt water.
The construction of these locks, completed in 1917, transformed Seattle's maritime capabilities by creating a navigable connection between inland waters and the Pacific Ocean.
The locks serve as an educational center where visitors learn about marine engineering, boat operations, and the native salmon species through observation windows.
The facility operates daily from 7 AM to 9 PM, offering free admission and guided tours that explain the mechanical operations of the lock system.
The locks process over 50,000 vessels annually and include a 21-step fish ladder system that allows salmon to migrate between Puget Sound and Lake Washington.
Location: Seattle
Official opening: August 3, 1916
Part of: Lake Washington Ship Canal
GPS coordinates: 47.66556,-122.39639
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:44
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