Chittenden Locks

Monday, August 24th

Today we went down to see the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks with Rich, Les Ann and Martha. They are the busiest locks in the United States. There are two locks, a large one for large commercial ships and a second smaller one for pleasure craft. The locks connect Puget Sound with Salmon Bay and ultimately, Lake Washington. The City of Seattle has made a tourist attraction of the locks with walkways around and over the locks and a fish ladder with large viewing windows.

Here the smaller lock is raising boats heading toward Lake Washington. The lock are not powered, using water pressure for their operation.


A shot from behind. You can get an idea of how high the boats are raised. The doors leak a little.

Here are some boats leaving the locks heading to Puget Sound. The other boats are waiting for their turn in the locks.


One of those waiting boats made it into the lock and is trying to tie up to a cleat. The sides of the lock ride up with the boats to minimize damage.

After watching the boat traffic a while we walked over to the fish ladders.


The salmon are just starting to pass by here on their migration to spawning grounds.





Back up on top we visited the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden where I had a chance to try the macro setting again.


Debbie found one of the gardens residents.


We left Ty at home today so I was able to get a close up of his favorite thing to chase.


On our way home Martha took us all out for lunch at a restaurant on the sound near the locks. The view was great. Thanks Martha!