Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

Discover the parade of sailboats, barges, motorboats and yachts passing through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, referred to by the locals as the “Ballard Locks.”  Linking the saltwater of Puget Sound to the freshwater of Lake Union and Lake Washington, the locks allow boats of all kind safe passage back and forth.  It’s a sight that entertains people of all ages. Enjoy a sunny day watching boats of all sizes and shapes come and go.

Tour the navigational locks and spillway, stop by the visitor center and watch the fish ladder full of spawning salmon from behind glass panels.  Wander through the botanical garden, home to many large trees attracting a variety of songbirds and gray squirrels.  Look for great blue herons and bald eagles often seen feeding on the migrating salmon and steelhead trout, as well as a tricky sea lion or two that sometimes manage their way into the locks.

Area Birding

The Hiram M Chittenden Locks are one of the most popular destinations along the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Made up of 2 locks, a dam and spillway, a fish ladder, a botanical garden, and a regional visitor center, the locks allow boats to pass from fresh water Lake Washington into the salt water of Puget Sound and back. On any given day the locks are packed with every type of boat from fishing trawler to kayak.

The Chittenden (Ballard) Locks in Seattle are the key navigational link between the saltwater environment of Puget Sound and the Lake Washington Ship Canal. A botanical garden and many large trees attract a variety of songbirds and eastern gray squirrels. Great blue herons and bald eagles feed here on migrating salmon and steelhead trout, as do a number of voracious California sea lions (collectively known as "Herschel").

Watchable Wildlife:
Great blue herons and bald eagles feed here on migrating salmon and steelhead trout, as do a number of voracious California sea lions.

Species to look for:
Songbirds
Herons
Gray Squirrels
Sea Lions
Sockeye
Chinook
Coho
Steelhead