Dorena-Hickman Ferry Closed By High Water

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry has temporarily halted service due to floodwaters on the Mississippi River, with the expectation that the ferry could be closed for at least 8 days.

According to ferry captain Jeremy Newsom, the ferry normally halts operation when the Cairo gauge goes above about 40 ft. On Wednesday the ferry managed to keep operating until the Cairo reading reached 46 feet at 6 p.m. However, rising floodwaters mean the ferry will be unable to start service on Thursday morning.

The river forecast at Cairo indicates a crest at 49 feet on Monday, January 7th, with a slow fall to 46 feet on January 11th.

As a result, the ferry will be out of service until at least January 11th, and possibly longer if there is additional, substantial rainfall upstream before that date. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the KY 1354 Connector from KY 94 to the ferry landing is also closed. 

The ferry connects KY 1354 at Hickman, Kentucky, with Missouri Route A and Route 77 near Dorena, Missouri.