Contact: John Post (206) 789-2622, ext. 201, or Patricia Graesser (206) 764-3760

The large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will be closed to maritime traffic for its annual maintenance beginning at midnight on Nov. 18 (Sunday morning.) The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the locks, expects to have the large lock back in operation by 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 after completion of scheduled maintenance.

The maintenance crews will make maximum efforts to minimized disruptions and the small lock is scheduled to remain fully operational throughout the closure period. The small lock can accommodate vessels up to 25 feet wide and 100 feet long. Vessels and boaters who normally make use of the large lock to transit in either direction will be directed to use the small lock for the two weeks of the closure and should ensure they have any additional handling equipment and crew required on board before entering the chamber.