The small lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will close to all marine traffic from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 30 for test drilling.
The large lock will still be available for vessels, however, 50-foot lines are needed when locking through using this chamber. Mariners may experience delays, depending on passage demand.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials are drilling four borings into the foundation from a barge Jan. 30 through Feb. 2, but only the first day will affect locking through. Drilling is expected to be noisy so it’s being limited to working hours, 7 a.m. to about 5 p.m., during the four days.
In addition to the boring near the small lock entrance, the Corps is also drilling two upstream and one downstream of the spillway. "We’re collecting information on the foundation," said Assistant Dam Safety Manager Katie Garon. "Dam safety is a top Corps priority and these drillings will help us evaluate how project features will respond during an earthquake."
For current information about activities at the Locks, visit the Locks’ Web site at http://bit.ly/BallardLocks or follow the Locks on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/chittendenlocks and http://twitter.com/ChittendenLocks.
Release no. 17-002