Ballard Locks Fish Ladder — Attraction in Seattle

The Ballard Fish Ladder, also known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or simply the Ballard Locks, is a critical infrastructure in Seattle that allows salmon and other fish to navigate between the fresh waters of Lake Washington, Lake Union, and the Puget Sound's saltwater. It is located in the Ballard neighborhood and is a popular destination for both tourists and locals.

Key Features:

Fish Ladder: The fish ladder at the Ballard Locks allows salmon to bypass the locks and swim upstream to their spawning grounds. It consists of a series of stepped pools that the fish can jump up to reach higher water levels. Viewing Windows: There are underwater viewing windows where visitors can watch the fish as they make their way through the ladder. This is particularly popular during the salmon migration season, typically from June to September. Locks: The locks themselves are an impressive feat of engineering, enabling boats to pass between the freshwater lakes and the saltwater of Puget Sound by raising and lowering the water levels. Botanical Garden: The Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden surrounds the locks, featuring a variety of plant species and providing a beautiful setting for a leisurely walk. Interpretive Center: The visitor center offers educational exhibits about the history of the locks, the fish ladder, and the local ecosystem.

Activities:

Fish Watching: The best time to view migrating salmon is from mid-June to mid-September, with the peak season in July and August. Boat Watching: The locks are a busy passage for all types of boats, from small recreational vessels to large commercial ships. Walking and Picnicking: The surrounding park and botanical garden are great for walking and picnicking. Educational Tours: There are often guided tours and educational programs available that provide deeper insights into the workings of the locks and the fish ladder.

Accessibility:

Parking: Limited parking is available near the locks. Public Transport: Accessible by several bus routes with stops nearby. Walking and Biking: The area is accessible for walkers and bikers, with several trails connecting to the locks.

History:

The locks were completed in 1917 and are named after U.S. Army Major Hiram M. Chittenden, who supervised their construction. They play a crucial role in managing the water levels of Lake Washington and Lake Union, as well as maintaining the freshwater supply for the city of Seattle.

The Ballard Fish Ladder is not only a functional piece of infrastructure but also a fascinating place to learn about the lifecycle of salmon and the engineering marvels that support...

June 2023 We came here at the end of the month, since I saw on the website that it was prime migration season for Sockeye Salmon. We certainly saw a lot of fish in the saltwater section heading for the locks and dam. Sadly, we did not see a lot of salmon in the fish ladder. I saw one briefly making its way up the ladder and two in the viewing room, chilling as they transitioned from saltwater to freshwater before resuming their journey. I did learn though that the absolute best time to see the salmon is during the autumn migration. This is when the King and Silver salmon are moving upstream AND the new young Sockeye salmon are heading back out to the ocean! So there will be a lot of salmon and you'll see all 3 types of salmon! I now understand why September is considered peak salmon season in the area.

The actual fish ladder is next to and below the ramp leading down to the viewing room, between the ramp and wall with all the engraved metal fish. It's a lot of turbulent waters, but you can see fish if you look hard enough. In the viewing room you can see the resting area for the salmon, where they spend time in brackish water so they can get used to transitioning from saltwater to freshwater or the reverse. There's also a ton of smaller fish also there, but I'm not sure what kind they are. The viewing room is clean, cool, a little damp, and dimly lit. There are some pictures, displays, and an informative video about the salmon migration. There are wooden and concrete stadium seats if you feel like sitting, with ramps to the bottom too. There's also some vending machines with snacks and drinks. There are two entrances on opposite sides of the viewing area, one that leads to a ramp, and the other uses stairs. Public bathrooms are outside right above the viewing room.

On the saltwater side of the locks, you can see seals in the early morning or late afternoon when the fish are jumping. The fish ladder is protected from seals, I believe the informative displays mention loud banging to warn seals away from the fish ladder. Doesn't stop the seals from going after the fish by the locks or the dam.

Also be on the lookout for other wildlife! Walking back to the parking lot by the park, we saw a heron sitting quietly in the bushes by the sidewalk. It was...

Its difficult to rate this place one of a kind clearly literally within footsteps of other nw parks gardens views of Puget sound you see the pendulum weighted swing up rail bridge for passenger & freight to Canada + locks garden planted 1/2 a century back from around the world varieties of trees we love flowers already blooming in gardens next to deep green grassy knolls. high overreaching tree canopies surround your walk Visitors center has reopened ! So interesting, is anyone else coming to visit ? Just where is everyone ? Update:: the ships have arrived! Summer is here & the ships are on the water coming from every direction , horns blowing & sail ships of every size ++ salmon have shown up we saw down in the water as they are trying to enter the fish ladder built back in 1917, can anyone believe this ? schools of these silvery species coming up sockeye are so beautiful wait the railroad bridge has lowered & a passenger train has started its crossing wow tourists have shown up droves of them everywhere staring at all this so much here We live just over up the hill in magnolia just past the towering pines discover our daily wunderkind for yourself love love the northwest PS : discovery park & the golden gardens are just another beautiful little jaunt over the way , puget sound lighthouses and the shores ocean breezes & that fresh air rule here so awesome Update from 8/2021 Coast guard ship sits up front alone in the locks to depart for Ketchikan All other boats ordered to wait out in the canal while this awesome setup ties in to the sides rails included are the front corner of the nordic national museum just outside the gates flowers are from just the other day the gardens are overflowing with color Rose's planted right next to the control center for the water gates you can see the kids watch as the ships are brought in geez where on earthe is there so...