Adam Woog Knihy

The Ballard Locks, a vital component of Seattle's waterways, connect Puget Sound with the city's freshwater lakes. Completed in 1917, they were the largest locks on the West Coast and the second largest in the U.S. after the Panama Canal. Their primary function is to regulate lake levels and facilitate vessel movement. As a major tourist destination, the locks attract over a million visitors each year, who enjoy watching salmon navigate the fish ladder, exploring botanical gardens, and observing a variety of ships in action.