From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard is scheduled to close to all marine vessels 7:30-11 a.m., Oct. 2 and to close the large lock 8-11 a.m. Oct. 3, allowing U.S. Navy divers to prepare the Adult Salmon Exclusion Structure for normal winter operations.

The structure, immediately upstream of the locks, prevents salmon from entering the locks' saltwater return intake earlier in the year. Divers from Naval Base Kitsap, previously closed 10, 10-foot-by-6-foot doors and inspected the 30-by-60 foot curved-front, mesh screen structure in June. In the fall, the divers open the doors and remove the sensor cables to prepare for winter operations.

The divers will also prepare structures for a later de-watering in November.

The operation requires the Locks be closed to all but emergency vessels on emergency calls. The staff will make maximum efforts to complete the work as soon and as safely as possible. Boaters may call the lockmaster on duty at 206-783-7000 to verify the locks are open.

For more information about activities at the Locks, visit the Locks' Web site at http://bit.ly/BallardLocks. Also follow the Locks on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/chittendenlocks and http://twitter.com/ChittendenLocks.