Going through the Ballard Locks: the boater's procedure

Transiting is free, first-come (with commercial priority), open 24/7, and requires no reservation or radio call. The whole system is run by lights and loudspeakers.

Before you go

• Two 50-ft lines, bow and stern, each with a spliced eye — a federal requirement (33 CFR 207.750(b)(5)(v)), and the attendants will use them.
• Fenders on both sides — you will not know which wall you get until you're assigned, and undersized fenders are the most common first-timer mistake.
• Life jackets on during transit is the Corps' strong recommendation: lines, props and crowded chambers are the risk zone.
• Check the live wait forecast before you leave the dock — the difference between an 11 am and a 7 pm transit is measured at ~20 minutes of median wait.

The sequence

• Red light: hold clear or tie to the waiting piers on the south wall (both approaches). Not the north wall.
• Green light: proceed at no more than 2.5 knots and listen — the attendants assign you a chamber, a side and a position by loudspeaker.
• Small lock (the usual recreational route): tie bow and stern to the numbered buttons on the floating guide wall and ride it up or down. No line-tending. Watch that the float doesn't jam; call out if it does. Order is strictly first-come, first-served by arrival — boaters track and respect who showed up when, regardless of where each boat sits in the waiting area. Your place in line is set the moment you arrive; jockeying for position gains nothing and costs goodwill.
• Large lock: no floating wall, and loading order differs — the largest recreational boats are called in first to take the wall and tend lines as the water moves 6–26 feet (a two-person job). Smaller boats are then rafted alongside the big ones, which is often the easy ride: you tie to a hull instead of handling wall lines, and their crew has already done the work. If you're small and get sent to the large lock, it's usually to your advantage.
• Exiting upbound (into the lakes): release the lake-side line last. When the gates open, current runs seaward and a loose bow swings. Downbound, the stern line goes last for the same reason.

Timing it

The measured medians: 27 minutes arrival-to-clear overall, ~21 evenings, 39–42 late morning through midday. A commercial vessel ahead of you adds one full cycle — they do not share the small lock with recreational boats. Full numbers on the wait-times page; the live forecast knows about the tour-boat timetable and approaching tugs.

After the locks, heading east

Sailboats bound for Lake Union or Lake Washington may need up to five bridge openings (Ballard, Fremont, and on); signal the tender about 100 yards out and budget 4–6 minutes per opening.

Common questions

What do I need to go through the Ballard Locks?

Two 50-foot mooring lines with an eye splice (required by 33 CFR 207.750), fenders rigged on both sides, and life jackets on deck. There is no fee, no reservation, and no VHF call required for recreational boats — the lights and loudspeakers direct you.

Which side do I wait on at the Ballard Locks?

Tie to the waiting piers on the SOUTH wall on either approach if the light is red. Do not tie to the north wall.

How fast can I enter the Ballard Locks?

Guides state a 2.5-knot entry limit; the governing regulation (33 CFR 207.750) caps speed at 4 knots between the guide piers.

Do first-timers get help at the locks?

Yes. Tell the attendants it's your first time and they will talk you through every step. Watching a few lockages from shore first — or on the locks webcams — is the standard advice.

What VHF channel do the Ballard Locks monitor?

The lockmaster monitors VHF channel 13 and answers (206) 783-7000, staffed 24 hours. Recreational boaters normally just follow the lights and loudspeaker instructions.