Large lock at Ballard Locks closed until late November
Annual maintenance is underway at the Ballard Locks, with the large lock closing today until Nov. 21. Crews from the US Army Corps of Engineers will be performing the annual maintenance, which is about...
View ArticleOld 520 bridge pontoon passes through Ballard Locks
Yesterday afternoon Ballard Locks visitors paid witness to a rare sight as a section of the old SR 520 Bridge floated past. Pontoon E from the old bridge was floated from Lake Washington to Lake Union...
View ArticleFerry Sealth passes through Ballard Locks
The WSDOT ferry Sealth passed through the Ballard Locks this morning en route to Lake Union for 9 weeks of repairs. The 90-car Issaquah Class Sealth was towed from Eagle harbor Maintenance Facility on...
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Ballard Locks celebrates 100th birthday
It is hard to believe that one hundred years ago, on August 3, 1916, the first vessel officially locked thought the now famous Locks here in Ballard. Back in 1916, The U.S. Engineering Department...
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Full salmon ladder attracts guests to Ballard Locks
The Salmon Ladder at Ballard Locks has been quite busy over the past few weeks and has attracted visitors of all kinds. Salmon work their way up the fish ladder at the Chittenden Locks in Ballard on a...
View ArticleBallard Locks large chamber to close for annual maintenance next month
The large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks is scheduled to close to all marine traffic from 9 a.m. on Monday, November 7, until 8 p.m., on Wednesday, November 23, for annual maintenance. The small...
View ArticleChittenden Locks vessel traffic closed due to small lock electrical issue,...
Update 1:19 p.m.: According to Facebook post on the Ballard Locks’ timeline, the maintenance team has resolved the electrical issue and the small lock has reopened. Original Post 12:30 p.m.: The Hiram...
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Large lock empty for annual maintenance
The view at Ballard Locks is an interesting one this month as the Large Lock is completely drained for the crew to perform scheduled maintenance. The large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks is...
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Army Corps of Engineers rescues white sturgeon at Ballard Locks
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers team rescued a 6-foot white sturgeon during the annual maintenance pump out at the Ballard Locks earlier this month. Each year, Corps natural resource and maintenance...
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Sold ‘baby’ ferry passes through Ballard Locks
Hiyu, the smallest ferry in the Washington State Ferries fleet, officially changed hands on Wednesday and was towed through Ballard Locks en route from Eagle Harbor to Lake Union. According to KOMO...
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Ballard Locks centenary celebrations to kick off on President’s Day weekend
Songwriting finalist performances, historical societies and other group displays will kick off the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Centennial commemoration from 10 a.m. to 3...
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Locks Centennial 5k set for next month
Locals are invited to take part in the Locks Centennial 5k Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, May 7. The event will benefit Discover Your NW and the Renovation of the Ballard Locks Fish Ladder. The Kids Dash...
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Community support needed to help improve Ballard Locks fish ladder
The renovation plans for the fish ladder viewing area at the Ballard Locks are ticking along, with a recent $400,000 grant and upcoming fundraiser to help fund the improvements. Several years in the...
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Throwback Thursday: Lake Washington Ship Canal is 100 years old
The Lake Washington Ship Canal is nearly 100 years old; its opening celebration was July 4, 1917. But the idea to connect the Puget Sound to Lake Washington was proposed 63 years prior by Thomas Mercer...
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King County Council recognizes Ballard Locks Centennial
The Metropolitan King County Council celebrated the Ballard Locks’ 100th anniversary this week, issuing a nostalgic statement of recognition (full statement is below). “The Ballard Locks are a local...
View ArticleDocumentary tells the story of the Locks and Ship Canal
In honor of the Ballard Locks centennial, Seattle Channel released this hour-long piece on the history of the Locks, and the monumental effort it took to build it. Produced by Vaun Raymond and narrated...
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Art opening at Ballard Locks on Thursday
The Ballard Locks will host an art opening at the administration building this Thursday. As part of the Ballard Night Out every third Thursday of the month, the exhibit will include a number of pieces...
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Large Ballard lock closed for annual maintenance, tours are sold out
Just like every year, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed and emptied the large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks for annual maintenance. Crews will scrape barnacles off the walls and check all...
View ArticleLawmakers urge Trump administration to fund ‘critical upgrades’ to Ballard Locks
The Ballard Locks are in desperate need of repairs and urgently need federal funds, according to a letter written by our state’s top lawmakers to the Trump administration today. An analysis of the...
View ArticleShould the Ballard Locks charge a toll?
Last week our state’s top lawmakers asked the Trump Administration for funding for “urgent” repairs to the Ballard Locks. The Seattle Times editorial board followed up with an opinion piece that “the...
View ArticleBriefs: Market St. assault, Bitter Lake real estate, KBFG, Ballard Locks and...
A few quick stories and links from around the neighborhood… – STABBING ON MARKET: Police and medics rushed to 2220 Market St. just after 3 p.m. Sunday for an assault with weapon call. “Two men had a...
View ArticleBriefs: Locks, Salmon, Sushi, Elks, Lagunitas
We have a few news tidbits to share, beginning with the Ballard Locks. (Tilt-shift photo above is from the US Army Corps of Engineers on Facebook). – BALLARD LOCKS: The Seattle Times has put together a...
View ArticlePark at the Ballard Locks will close due to government shutdown
Tuesday update: This morning the Army Corps said the park is open. Update: Trump has signed a bill to reopen the government, so the shutdown is over. Earlier: While the Ballard Locks continue to...
View ArticleSchedule is out for Summer Concerts at Locks
The initial schedule has been released for the free summer concert series at the Carl S. English Garden at the Ballard Locks, beginning the weekend of June 2nd. The lineup shows a diverse list of local...
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Giant cow goes through the Locks
You don’t see this every day. It pains us to post this because it’s a publicity stunt, but it was a particularly effective one, to say the least. Bessie the giant inflatable Holstein cow cruised...
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Cruise ship heads through the Locks
Updated: The Star Legend made history today by becoming the largest cruise ship to ever navigate the Ballard Locks and the Ship Canal. A crowd gathered to watch the big event, along with media...
View ArticleTall ships Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington to pass through Locks Thursday
If you missed the tall ships last week, you now have a second chance to watch the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain pass through the Ballard Locks on Thursday, Sept. 13. The historic ships have...
View ArticleBallard Locks awarded $10.5m to replace 100-year-old large lock gates
The Ballard Locks are about to get a major upgrade. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have awarded $10.5 million to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to replace the original large lock chamber’s...
View ArticleLocks Talks – Salmon Mysteries
Talk by Thomas Quinn Professor, Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences UW College of the Environment Learn about the salmon that pass through the Ballard Locks, what is happening to them and how we can help.
View ArticleSlooper-sized Pride edition of Bakers & Makers against Racism
Join us for the second outdoor market at the best old Ballard bar! Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Come shop beautifully crafted items from over 10 local bakers & makers including...
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