Small Lock Pumpout Completed

It is time for the annual inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of the small lock!

On March 13, the water remaining in the chamber was pumped out so the lower walls and floor are accessible.

The pumps for this operation are located underneath the Administration Building. If you peek in the basement windows, you may be able to see some of the plumbing for the pumps.

It takes about 4 hours to drain the small lock whereas the large lock (pictured left) requires about 10 hours to pump dry. See previous entries on the Large Lock Pump Out and More Pump Out Pictures.

Without unforeseen findings, the small lock re-opened to boat traffic by March 23.

See the Official Hiram M. Chittenden Locks page for the most current updates and information about the locks and the ship canal.

Next on the "to-do" list usually is installation of the smolt flumes on the spillway dam around April 16th and fish ladder cleaning in June.

Christmas Ships Annual Visit at the Locks

Head down to the Locks on Wednesday December 7th around 8 p.m. to see the annual parade of Christmas ships. The Dickens Carolers will be the featured musical group on the lead ship.

The parade is scheduled to leave Shilshole Marina at 7 p.m., be at the Locks from 8:10-8:30, stop at Golden Gardens Park from 9:05-9:25, and return to Shilshole at 9:45.

The gates at the Locks will remain open as usual until 9:00 p.m.

Ballard Locks Closed Tuesday August 23, 2011

Both locks will be closed to boat traffic August 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for regular inspection of the salmon exclusion structure.

Also posted by @ChittendenLocks and MyBallard.

100 Years Ago This Month: Major Cavanaugh Begins Work in Seattle

August 1, 1911 – Major James Bates Cavanaugh is assigned to the Corps of Engineers Seattle District to oversee the construction of the locks and the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

It was Maj. Hiram M. Chittenden whose vision and political skills resulted in the placement of the locks at Salmon Bay, however he had to take early medical retirement in 1909. Major C.W. Kutz served as head of the Seattle District until Cavanaugh was appointed in 1911.



James Bates Cavanaugh's West Point Graduation photo, Class of 1892.

Major Cavanaugh was then working in Washington D.C. as Assistant to the Chief of Engineers. He had graduated first in his class from West Point Military Academy (1892) and was an extremely capable and well-respected officer. He had worked on many river and harbor projects around the country, as well as teaching Field Engineering at the Post School for Officers. He was selected for the Seattle assignment, not only for his technical experience, but his proven diplomatic skills that were needed to complete this enormous engineering project.

In March 1915 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel; then in April 1917, with the United States now involved in World War I, he was assigned to command the 18th Engineers at American Lake, WA (now Joint Base Lewis/McChord) and promoted to Colonel prior to sailing for France in July 1917. Cavanaugh House is named in his honor.


Information for this article was gathered from the U.S.Military Academy/West Point and the Seattle District Army Corps of Engineers.

Audio Tour of the Locks

The US Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District enters the podcasting world with this audio tour of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Look for more audio tours from the district in the future.

US Army Corps of Engineers Audio Tour of the Locks

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages and operates 192 navigational lock sites home to 237 lock chambers across the nation. The Northwestern Division has 10 of those lock chambers. Each year more than 40,000 vessels pass through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in the Seattle District. Come and experience a tour with our audio podcast. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Salmon Season!

Head on over to the Chittenden Locks to see the sockeye salmon (link to our past article) moving through the fish ladder. The run is now at its peak, about 23,000 fish have passed through as of 7/5/11.

Some early chinook salmon have been spotted so if you see a larger fish with spots on its back in the viewing window, you are seeing a chinook (sockeye have no spots.) The chinook run will peak early August and then will come the coho salmon, the last of the 3 salmon species that use our fish ladder.

Don't forget the weekend concerts on the lawn- every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.!

Info: Locks Closure Tuesday June 7th 2011

Both locks will be closed from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 7th for inspection of ASES (the Adult Salmon Exclusion Structure).

Reprinted with permission for information purposes:

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
5 1/2 Hour Lock Closure, June 7th 2011

On Tuesday, June 7th 2011, both the large lock and small lock will be closed from 0730-1300, for an inspection of the Adult Salmon Exclusion Structure. The structure is in place near the middle pier between the east entrances to both locks. There will be divers in the water during this time period, preventing lock operations. The only exception will be for emergency vessels (Seattle Fire Dept., Seattle Police, and Coast Guard) on an emergency call. Any questions should be referred to David Carpenter, Navigation Supervisor 206-789-2622 ext.202, or the Lockmaster on duty, 206-783- 7000

Spring Cleaning: Fish Ladder Cleaning Finishing Up This Week

The fish ladder has been undergoing its normal yearly maintenance from May 16 - 27 and will be reopening this Friday.

Check out the pics from the slideshow below or last year's Fish Ladder Spring Cleaning blog post!