Without the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or what the locals call the Ballard locks the water levels of lake Washington and lake Union both of which happen to be fresh water lakes just next to the Sea, will fall beyond the ideal height of the 20-22 feet above sea level in low tides. The fresh water from this two water bodies will also mix with the salty water of the sea. And finally boats moving either way especially in low tides will have difficulties doing so. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_M._Chittenden_Locks

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks as an attraction

Discover the attraction that is the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle. Have a look at the way boats are allowed to pass safely on either direction by the lock. Tour the spillway, watch the salmons from behind the glass panel, wander around the botanical garden which has the widest range of tree species which have attracted all sort of song birds and finally relax in a typical Seattle Washington hotel anywhere near the locks.

http://www.experiencewa.com/attraction.aspx?id=112

Finding & booking the hotels near Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

There are several sites that can help you to search and book the hotels nears this attraction. The travel guide can also equally be of assistance in this case.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2747344-hiram_m_chittenden_locks_ballard_locks_seattle-i;_ylc=X3oDMTFka28zOGNuBF9TAzI3NjY2NzkEX3MDOTY5NTUzMjUEc2VjA3NzcC1kZXN0BHNsawN0aXRsZQ–

The Hiram M Chittenden locks in Seattle represent a complex of locks in the midst of Salmon Bay which is a part of the Lake Washington ship canal in Seattle. Locally, the facility is also known as the Ballard Locks. These locks have nothing to do with the common perception of conventional locks.

The Hiram M Chittenden Locks of Seattle have three major purposes:

Maintaining the level of fresh water at Lake Union and Lake Washington at 20 o 22 fee above sea level

Prevent mixing of Sea water coming from Puget Sound with fresh waters of the lakes.

Move boats from the water level obtaining in the lakes to the Puget Sound water level and in the reverse direction too. You can enhance your experience of this attraction by visiting http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=lwsc&pagename=mainpage or http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm

The history of the facility dates back to 1917 and was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. From a visitor's perspective, the locks offer alluring sight of a parade of boats, yachts, barges and motorboats. On the grounds abutting the locks is the Carl English Botanical Gardens which grows more than 1500 varieties of flowers represented under 500 species. The following website has more information on this attraction:

http://static.travelmuse.com/assets/maintenance.html

The engineering feat associated with the locks is astonishing. Over 1.5 million visitors arrive here every year and if that is not reason enough, 75,000 vessels and 2 million tons of cargo traverse through the locks every year. Some of the top Seattle hotel reviews also carry vivid details of this attraction.