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News Room Headline
Fish ladder mechanical problems trap salmon at Chittenden Locks in Ballard
Contact: Patricia Graesser, (206) 764-3760
July 29, 2004
SEATTLE--A mechanical problem at the fish ladder at the Chittenden Locks in Ballard led to the deaths of nearly 100 fish this morning, according to the Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the Locks.
Debris got lodged under a lower fish ladder diffuser grating, which was then dislodged and blocked fish from passing over one of the ladder weirs, diverting and trapping fish in the diffuser well, where they became stressed and died. Corps of Engineers, tribal and other agency biologists were on the scene this morning to ensure the fish migration was restored. Biologists counted 90 or more sockeye and two Chinook salmon that were killed.
The damaged grating was removed as soon as it was discovered, and fish are no longer getting trapped in the diffuser well. The fish ladder will continue to operate until a new grating can be obtained and installed.
Muckleshoot Tribal members and Corps of Engineers biologists will be working with Locks maintenance staff to replace the grating Aug. 4 once equipment arrives.
The fish ladder provides passage upstream for Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon. Approximately 380,000 sockeye have passed safely through the fish ladder this summer.
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