Hiram M. Chittenden Locks was added to Your Favorites!
Seattle, Washington
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The fish ladder at the locks allows salmon to migrate between fresh and saltwater, an essential part of their life cycle.
Approximately 50,000 vessels navigate through the locks annually, making it one of the busiest in the United States.
The locks are named after Hiram M. Chittenden, who was instrumental in their construction and completion in 1917.
The Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, adjacent to the locks, features over 500 species of plants from around the world.
The locks connect the freshwater Lake Washington and Lake Union with the saltwater of Puget Sound, facilitating maritime traffic.
The locks use a gravity-fed system to fill and empty the chambers, allowing vessels to be raised or lowered by up to 26 feet.
Visitors often spot harbor seals and sea lions near the locks, especially during the salmon migration season.
The locks were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, recognizing their importance in Seattle's maritime history.
