106-year-old large lock miter gate to make its way out of the Ballard Locks this week

Meghan Walker Ballard

The century-old large lock center miter gate will leave the Ballard Locks as part of the replacement project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has organized for a barge to transport the gate through the large lock on Oct. 18 on its way to the contractor’s yard in Seattle for disposal.

The large lock replacement project is a three-year process; the current step is the demolition and removal of the current miter gate, which will keep the large lock closed until Nov. 14. Here’s a full list of the closures and reopenings:

  • Closure #1 Demolition 10/16/2023 11/14/2023
  • Full Chamber Navigation 11/15/2023 11/29/2023
  • Closure #2 Concrete Installation 11/30/2023 12/29/2023
  • Full Chamber Navigation 2/30/2023 01/13/2024
  • Closure #3 Additional season 1 01/14/2024 02/12/2024
  • Full Chamber Navigation 02/13/2024 10/14/2024
  • Closure #4 Installing Gates 10/15/2024 11/13/2024
  • Full Chamber Navigation 11/14/2024 11/28/2024

If you want to watch the large miter gate leave the Ballard Locks, it will pass through at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Images: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers