WHO: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Seattle District
WHAT: The Corps is conducting two stakeholders meetings to discuss the Lake Washington Ship Canal (LWSC) budgeting and dam safety progress and activities. The stakeholder meetings goals are to update local partners and agencies about the project’s current budget, detailed project priority list, future project and budget outlook, safety, and partnering opportunities. They will also be opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback about each topic.
WHEN/WHERE:
Morning Stakeholders Meeting, Wednesday, March 4 at 9:00 a.m.
Evening Stakeholders Meeting, Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Both meetings will be held at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Visitor Center, 3015 Northwest 54th St, Seattle WA 98107
The meetings will last about an hour with question and answer periods at the end. An optional tour will follow the morning meeting.
WHY: Operated by the Corps, LWSC is critical to the region’s economy, transportation, flood control, infrastructure and environment.
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks operate primarily as a navigation facility connecting Puget Sound with Lakes Union and Washington. This is essential for the maritime industry. Annually, just under one million tons of cargo and 50,000 vessels pass through the locks. The locks are the busiest in the nation in terms of vessel numbers, but many are recreational, so LWSC is considered low use based on tonnage.
Also extremely important to regional infrastructure, the locks and spillway dam regulate the elevation of Salmon Bay, Lake Union, Lake Washington and the LWSC. Maintaining levels between 20 and 22 feet is important for the I-90 and Highway 520 floating bridges, and floating homes. The minimum elevation is maintained during the winter months allowing businesses and lake side residents to perform annual maintenance, minimize wave and erosion damage during storms and provide storage space for high inflow.
Additionally, the locks provide a fish ladder where endangered salmon can pass upstream to spawn.
CONTACT: Public Affairs Office at 206-764-3750 or Email: NRMLocks@usace.army.mil
View and print the full Press Release here.
