Last fall our effort to navigate the Ballard Locks failed as the small lock was closed for maintenance. So, Felix promised
another trip this spring, and this time we did navigate the Ballard Locks.
The locks serve three purposes: 1) to maintain the water level of the fresh water at Lake Washington and Lake Union at 20–
22 feet above sea level, 2) to prevent the mixing of sea water from the Puget Sound with the fresh water of the lakes, and 3) to
move boats between the water level of the lakes and the water level of Puget Sound.
The complex includes two locks, a small (30 x 150 ft) and a large (80 x 825), both completed in 1916. Kayaks are only
permitted to paddle through the small lock. The big lock is used for boats that do not fit in the small lock.
Below, we arrive at the small lock and wait for several boats to emerge before we paddled into the lock.
another trip this spring, and this time we did navigate the Ballard Locks.
The locks serve three purposes: 1) to maintain the water level of the fresh water at Lake Washington and Lake Union at 20–
22 feet above sea level, 2) to prevent the mixing of sea water from the Puget Sound with the fresh water of the lakes, and 3) to
move boats between the water level of the lakes and the water level of Puget Sound.
The complex includes two locks, a small (30 x 150 ft) and a large (80 x 825), both completed in 1916. Kayaks are only
permitted to paddle through the small lock. The big lock is used for boats that do not fit in the small lock.
Below, we arrive at the small lock and wait for several boats to emerge before we paddled into the lock.
| Ballard Locks, Second Trip, with the Rainshadow Kayakers April 28, 2009 |
Once the lock was empty, we were instructed to paddle into the lock and hold on to the side. The side would go down with us
as the water level was lowered.
as the water level was lowered.
It took only a few minutes for the water
level to adjust to sea level.
Then the lower gate was opened, and
Jackie had the honor of being boat
number one out of the gate (below).
Since Jackie had heard about the rush
of water out the lock when it is opened,
she was not excited to be number one.
level to adjust to sea level.
Then the lower gate was opened, and
Jackie had the honor of being boat
number one out of the gate (below).
Since Jackie had heard about the rush
of water out the lock when it is opened,
she was not excited to be number one.
We paddled down a short
distance to Ballard
Railroad Bridge. In 1916,
following completion of the
locks, the bridge was
changed to a bascule
bridge to allow ships to
travel beneath it. This
ingenious structure relies
on a huge concrete
counterweight to keep the
span open. While we were
sitting there, the bridge
closed so quietly that we
did not notice it close until
we heard a noise as it
clicked into place.
distance to Ballard
Railroad Bridge. In 1916,
following completion of the
locks, the bridge was
changed to a bascule
bridge to allow ships to
travel beneath it. This
ingenious structure relies
on a huge concrete
counterweight to keep the
span open. While we were
sitting there, the bridge
closed so quietly that we
did not notice it close until
we heard a noise as it
clicked into place.
We waited for some tugs to go up the small lock. The next time the lock opened, we all paddled into the lock for the ride back
up to the ship channel.
up to the ship channel.
After we exited the lock, Jackie talked with some of the locals about her exciting journey.
To see the first part of this paddle to Ballard Locks, please click the link below.