Great Free Concerts at the Locks!

The weather finally cooperated for the concerts at the Ballard Locks last Weekend. On Sunday, The Microsoft Orchestra treated the crowd of over 300 people to a couple of sets playing under the grand red oak trees. The selection included lots of classics, such as Gershwin and Sousa, as well as a new score of music featured in the video game Halo.

Check out next weekend's music schedule for Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, July 3 from 2-4 pm,Dissonance Jazz Combo will play. Sunday, Independence Day, the Seattle Civic Band will play some stirring marching music from 2-3 pm.

There will be lots more free music at the Ballard Locks all summer!

See the previous post or check out the most up-to-date schedule at the USACE events page.

Sockeye Swimming Up the Ladder

Just like clockwork the salmon are returning to the fish ladder at the Chittenden Locks.

Of the 3 Pacific salmon species that use the fish ladder, the sockeye are the first to return each year, coming back from the Gulf of Alaska where they have been feeding for the last 2-3 years. The majority of them were hatched on the Cedar River and are returning there to spawn.

When we see them at the Locks they are silver color, called 'ocean phase,' and are easily identified from other salmon species by the lack of spots on their backs. Sockeye will average 6-8 pounds and 24-30 inches long. As they journey through fresh water to the spawning beds their bodies will take on the distinctive red color called 'freshwater phase.'

Moving through the Canal and lakes they will reach the spawning beds in late September/early October. Each female will lay several thousand eggs in the gravel of the riverbed where they remain for 3 months until hatching into tiny fish called alevins. Both male and female salmon die after spawning, thereby becoming an important part of the ecosystem as their decaying bodies return essential nutrients- nitrogen, phosphorus- to the soils along the streams.

The fish ladder viewing gallery is open daily from 7 a.m.-8:45 p.m., there are displays there and in the Visitor Center (10 - 6:00 daily) with additional information on the salmon life cycle.

Bagpipes on Sunday

Ballard offered up real Scottish weather for the Elliott Bay Bagpipe Band concert at the Locks last Sunday. A small, hardy audience braved the 'highland mist' to hear the band's annual Father's Day performance.

More free concerts to come!

See the previous post or USACE events page.

Fish Ladder is Open! Sockeye are Swimming!

A source at the Ballard Locks has informed us that the fish ladder is open and sockeye salmon are swimming upstream.

Pictures and more words coming soon...

Opening Day of Boating Season!

Wow! It’s hard to believe that Opening Day of boating season is just around the corner.

Traditionally, opening day is celebrated on the first Saturday in May. In 2010, that's this coming Saturday, May 1. However, you'll see boat traffic through the locks increase all week as boaters make their way to the lakes & ship canal.

Seattle has a rich maritime tradition; opening day is to boating what robins are to spring.

Now is the time to pull your boat out and get it ready for another exciting season on the water. If you visit the locks you’re sure to see hundreds of boats making the passage.

Many of these boats are on their way to cheer on their favorite team at the Windermere Cup races held in the Montlake Cut. If you’ve never experienced this special day you should make plans. It’s hard to imagine a better place to see a race up close where you can see the strain as each rower gives their all.

Below is a slideshow of some pictures of boats through the locks and ship canal.

The Locks on Almost Live!

Ah, the wonders of YouTube! We've unearthed a good find -- a cameo by the Chittenden Locks and two lock workers on an old skit by the local skit comedy show, Almost Live!

Check it out:

• Almost Live! High Five'n White Guys in Ballard with a Locks cameo.