FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2008

Contact: David Carpenter (206) 789-2622, ext. 202, or

          Dick Devlin, (206) 766-6447

Seattle -- The large chamber of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will be closed to maritime traffic for its annual maintenance beginning at 6 p.m. (1800 hours) on Nov. 21 (Friday evening.)

The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the locks, says the large chamber will reopen no later than 6 p.m. (1800) on the December 5 (Saturday evening) and expects to have the entire project back in normal operation after completion of the scheduled annual maintenance.

According to Marian Valentine, operating manager for the locks, “The window of opportunity for the work had to be adjusted earlier by six hours earlier than originally planned to accommodate tides at that time.”

Valentine said she was concerned that word of the earlier plan had made it onto the street and apologized for the late change and any inconvenience caused.

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. If you have any questions, please contact David Carpenter at 206-789-2622 ext. 202, or after hours and weekends, the Lockmaster at 783-7000.

For current information about activities at the Locks, check the Corps of Engineers website at: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil and select “Dams and Locks” then “Lake Washington Ship Canal” from the left column. The Chittenden Locks, often referred to as the Ballard or Government Locks, safely transit about 60,000 vessels each year.