Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks link Lake Washington with Puget Sound, allowing boats to move between fresh and salt water while managing water levels. The complex includes two lock chambers of different sizes and a fish ladder along the southern bank.

Construction began in 1911 and finished in 1917 to create a navigable link between Seattle's lakes and the Pacific Ocean. The facility honors engineer Hiram M. Chittenden, who drafted the original design for the project.

Many visitors gather here to watch salmon pass through the viewing windows as they climb the fish ladder during migration season. Signs explain the different species and their journey through the waterways around Seattle.

The facility opens daily from 7 AM to 9 PM with free admission. Guided tours explain how the lock chambers and fish ladder work.

More than 50,000 boats pass through these locks each year. The fish ladder contains 21 pools that guide salmon 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: December 5, 2025 22:23