Seattle Pics 3

Heidi at the Ballard locks

Me

Depending on the tide the level of this lake and the ocean can be several feet different so they built these locks for ships to pass through. A ship such as this tug boat come in from the lake, the close the lock, open some valves and gravity pulls the water out of the lock.

Once the water is out and the level in the lock is the same as it is on the outside then the open the next set of gates and the boat can head out into the ocean. While we were there the difference between the ocean and the lake was about 30 ft. It was really cool to watch the boats come in and go out.

Here is some sort of fishing boat that was coming in from the ocean