In anticipation of a federal shutdown last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared itself for the closure of Corps-operated parks as well as certain operations, including the Ballard Locks and park grounds.

In case of a federal shutdown, the Chittenden Locks would have remained open to vessel traffic but staffing would have been limited and the park grounds would have been closed.

"The locks made the President's Budget for 2012 and this year," said Colonel Anthony Wright at the Ballard District Council last night.

"For the next two years I'm very confident. After that I don't know what will happen."

Colonel Wright has operated the Ballard Locks and lived at the Locks in the "Colonel's Residence" for the past three years.

"I am proud to say I have the best yard in Ballard," Wright said. "It's a special place to love. Sometimes kind of like a zoo."

Glad with the continued funding, Wright said the Ballard Locks and surrounding park grounds are maintained and operated by more than 40 people.

"The Locks are a key part of the community," Wright said. "It's the busiest lock in the nation -- it sees 10,000 more vessels than its closest competitor -- and with its impact on the Alaskan fishing fleet, the lock is a tremendous engine that does a lot for the economy."

Wright said everything is back to functioning after the locks were struck by lightning earlier in the year, which fried some electrical components.

But the locks are in need of a rehab study. Build in 1913, the locks still have some original components that need to be studies, Wright said.

Additionally, the Corps will continue handling 404 section 10 permits and further its clean water mission.

"No other organization spends as much on ecosystem restoration than the Army Corps of Engineers," Wright said.

The "Colonel's Residence" is also going on some restoration to clear asbestos and fix other maintenance items before a new Colonel moves in.

Wright said he'll be retiring from his post at the Army Corps of Engineers soon but that he's staying in Seattle.