Experience The Magic Of The Salmon Bay Bridge And Ballard Locks: A Scenic Exploration

July 4, 2024

Written By: J.Couch

After a nice hike and picnic at Discovery Park, we decided to stop by Ballard Locks to see what all the talk was about. I had spoken with a lady at a street art show in Phinney Ridge, who told me about some of the history of the locks and specifically the Salmon Bay Bridge, formally known as Bridge No. 4 on the Great Northern Railroad, now known as Bridge 6.3 on the BNSF railroad. It was built in 1914 by the Great Northern Railway, and sits just west of the Ballard Locks. From what I have heard, a lot of people also know it as the Ballard Bridge.

The bridge’s unique design allows it to pivot upward, providing clearance for boat traffic below. Over the decades, it has been a critical link for freight and passenger trains, playing a vital role in the region’s transportation network. Despite its age, the bridge remains operational, a testament to the engineering prowess of the early 20th century. At one point the railway was going to tear it down to make way for a better bridge but the community fought back to keep it. It was repaired and renovated to keep it in working order for many years to come.

We parked in the lot on the south side of Salmon Bay and walked down towards the water. At that very moment, there was a train heading south across the bridge. We watched and the train rumbled through on its way to who knows where. From there it was a short walk over to Ballard Locks to watch the boats coming through.

These locks were built in 1917 and they are a National Historic Site, along with being the busiest locking system in the nation it is one of the top 5 Seattle tourist attractions. Known as the Ballard Locks due to the neighborhood to the north, but officially named the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, they were built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Chittenden was an American historian and an engineer for the Seattle District Army Corps of Engineers from 1906 to 1908. Located at the west end of Salmon Bay, they serve as a crucial passageway between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater of Lake Union and Lake Washington. The locks facilitate maritime navigation, allowing boats to move between the different water levels. Additionally, the complex includes a fish ladder, enabling salmon to migrate upstream to their spawning grounds. Over the years, the Ballard Locks have become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with their engineering marvel and the opportunity to observe the seasonal salmon migration.

We walked over to the locks and saw a big tour boat heading to the locks to go out into the Puget Sound. We watched as the tour boat came into the locks, the gates shut and they lowered the water for them to depart out the other side. It was very cool to watch and to be able to be up close. We will have to go back out to that area in the future to explore more on the north side and check out the visitor center and the museum.

Thanks for wandering with us,

The Wandering Couchs