The following notices come from the Hiram M. Chittenden Facebook Page. In short, the budget impass in D.C. will indefinitely delay important work on the locks and shut down the popular park. The locks themselves will remain operational. –KH
CANCELLED: Because of uncertainty over a possible government shutdown, this week’s (Oct. 2 and 3) scheduled locks closures have been cancelled. Navy divers were to prepare the Adult Salmon Exclusion Structure for normal winter operations. The procedure will be rescheduled at a later date.
NOTICE – Corps closing facilities and services in Seattle District
SEATTLE – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is curtailing some services and closing its campgrounds and day-use parks nationwide beginning today, due to the lack of fiscal 2014 funding legislation. The following Seattle District locations and services to the public are affected until funding becomes available:
* Vessel navigation will remain available through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard, however staffing limitations may cause longer locking times.
* The park grounds at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will be closed, starting at 4 p.m. today. As an example, cyclists and walkers won’t have access to or through the park beginning 4 p.m. today, nor any subsequent days until funding restoration.
