Hiram M. Chittenden Locks - fish ladder viewing area

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) include a fish ladder and viewing windows that allow the public to watch migrating salmon pass between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The fish ladder and the small, glassed viewing stations are located adjacent to the locks and can be overlooked by visitors focused on the boat traffic and gardens. The locks and fish ladder are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are a documented site for seasonal fish runs and educational programs. Many guidebooks note the fish ladder as a less-obvious but rewarding spot to visit at the Locks.