Ballard Locks to close tomorrow for saltwater drain inspections

The Ballard Locks will be closed to all marine traffic between 8 and 1 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, June 30) for monthly inspections of the saltwater drain screen structure.

The structure, which is directly upstream of the locks, prevents salmon from entering the locks’ saltwater return intake. A group of divers from the Army Corps of Engineers closed ten, 10-foot-by-6-foot doors and inspected the 30-by-60 foot curved-front, mesh screen structure at the beginning of the month, and monthly inspections are required until the doors reopen in mid-September. The work will require the locks to be closed to all but emergency vessels.

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