The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, which was built in 1911 and often referred to as the Ballard Locks, provides a gateway for boats between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal, that connects eastward to Lake Union as well as Lake Washington.
Both locals and Tourists alike love watching the all the sailboats, yachts, tugs and barges passing through, as the locks’ water levels are manipulated to allow their safe passage.
Another popular area to check out here is the fish ladder which was created to let salmon pass safely between fresh and salt water and also to navigate the locks. Glass panels beneath the water line make it easy to watch the salmon as they swim through the ladder.
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