Annual maintenance is underway at the Ballard Locks, with the large lock closing today until Nov. 21. Crews from the US Army Corps of Engineers will be performing the annual maintenance, which is about a week longer than usual because they’ll also be repairing and replacing the center gate gudgeon pins. The small lock will […]
Tag: Ballard Locks
Ballard Locks awarded $10.5m to replace 100-year-old large lock gates
The Ballard Locks are about to get a major upgrade. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have awarded $10.5 million to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to replace the original large lock chamber’s 100-year-old gates. The massive project will replace the original valves — known as the Stoney Gate Valves — which were the latest […]
Tall ships Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington to pass through Locks Thursday
If you missed the tall ships last week, you now have a second chance to watch the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain pass through the Ballard Locks on Thursday, Sept. 13. The historic ships have been in Lake Washington since the 7th, offering tours and sails to the public. On Thursday they’ll be leaving Seattle, […]
Cruise ship heads through the Locks
Updated: The Star Legend made history today by becoming the largest cruise ship to ever navigate the Ballard Locks and the Ship Canal. A crowd gathered to watch the big event, along with media helicopters and a KING 5 drone: Here’s the perspective from on the ship: Then it headed to the Ballard Bridge, where […]
Giant cow goes through the Locks
You don’t see this every day. It pains us to post this because it’s a publicity stunt, but it was a particularly effective one, to say the least. Bessie the giant inflatable Holstein cow cruised through the Locks and the Ship Canal, generating lots of “earned media” for the Dairy Farmers of Washington. After all, […]
Schedule is out for Summer Concerts at Locks
The initial schedule has been released for the free summer concert series at the Carl S. English Garden at the Ballard Locks, beginning the weekend of June 2nd. The lineup shows a diverse list of local musicians with an emphasis on big band and jazz. While there is no charge for the concerts — and […]
Park at the Ballard Locks will close due to government shutdown
Tuesday update: This morning the Army Corps said the park is open. Update: Trump has signed a bill to reopen the government, so the shutdown is over. Earlier: While the Ballard Locks continue to operate, the Army Corps of Engineers says the park grounds will be closed beginning tomorrow — until funding is restored. That […]
Briefs: Locks, Salmon, Sushi, Elks, Lagunitas
We have a few news tidbits to share, beginning with the Ballard Locks. (Tilt-shift photo above is from the US Army Corps of Engineers on Facebook). – BALLARD LOCKS: The Seattle Times has put together a good in-depth look at why the Locks needs $30 million to $60 million in major repairs and upgrades. (Here’s […]
Briefs: Market St. assault, Bitter Lake real estate, KBFG, Ballard Locks and more
A few quick stories and links from around the neighborhood… – STABBING ON MARKET: Police and medics rushed to 2220 Market St. just after 3 p.m. Sunday for an assault with weapon call. “Two men had a skirmish, and one stabbed the other. The injured man was treated and the stabber was arrested,” explains My […]
Should the Ballard Locks charge a toll?
Last week our state’s top lawmakers asked the Trump Administration for funding for “urgent” repairs to the Ballard Locks. The Seattle Times editorial board followed up with an opinion piece that “the federal government needs to find funding to maintain and upgrade the Ballard Locks and ensure passage to the Lake Washington Ship Canal remains […]
Lawmakers urge Trump administration to fund ‘critical upgrades’ to Ballard Locks
The Ballard Locks are in desperate need of repairs and urgently need federal funds, according to a letter written by our state’s top lawmakers to the Trump administration today. An analysis of the locks by the Army Corps “found that many lock and dam components are in poor or failing condition,” the letter (.pdf) explains. […]
Large Ballard lock closed for annual maintenance, tours are sold out
Just like every year, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed and emptied the large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks for annual maintenance. Crews will scrape barnacles off the walls and check all the mechanical systems. It’s always fascinating to see what lies 55-feet down — both in the lock and inside the […]
Recent Comments