SEATTLE — The Ballard Locks are partially closed for most of the month, keeping large commercial boat traffic out of the Lake Washington Ship Canal.
KIRO-TV reported the large lock is shut for annual maintenance for about three weeks. The closure is longer this year because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had to use a small, portable pump to empty millions of gallons from the lock.
A pipe burst prevented them from using an older, but more efficient pump.
In addition to the pump, other parts of the locks also need to be repaired or replaced. Engineers say a total failure of the nearly century-old boat passageway could affect the water level of Lake Washington and create problems for the floating bridges.
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