LOW RIVER WATER CLOSES DORENA HICKMAN FERRY

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is Closed Due to Low Water on the Mississippi River

Ferry closed until further notice

PADUCAH, Ky. (July 27, 2023) —The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is closed due to low water on the Mississippi River.

While the flash flooding last week helped to raise river levels to allow the ferry to operate, the water has dropped out very quickly. Water levels on the Mississippi River have dropped below the bottom of the landing ramp in Hickman Harbor.

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is expected to remain closed until substantial rainfall upstream improves water levels.

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is closed.

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry will attempt to provide timely notice when river levels rise enough to allow service to resume.

As a reminder, the Dorena-Hickman Ferry is temporarily operating on a limited 5-day-a-week schedule. The ferry is operating Thursday through Monday, but will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday until the ferry can hire an additional pilot with a passenger endorsed license.

Motorists may check on the ferry’s operating status by calling (731) 693-0210 or by going to https://www.facebook.com/DorenaHickmanFerry/.

To get traffic advisories and alerts about the ferry’s operating status via email go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYTC/signup/13651 and click on the Dorena-Hickman Ferry Corridor Group. You may also sign up for counties in Kentucky you regularly drive through or on any of the other specialty corridors you travel. Be sure to check your SPAM filtering to assure Gov Delivery is on your approved list.

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

In addition to providing a critical transportation link between Kentucky and Missouri for daily commuters and farmers, the ferry serves as a tourist attraction for the region and provides a convenient route between Southeast Missouri and the popular fishing and recreation areas around nearby Reelfoot Lake in Northwest Tennessee.

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry Operates from the Hickman Landing with regular river crossings during daylight hours. The toll for passenger vehicles is $20 with additional tolls for trucks, motor homes, and vehicles pulling trailers. There are discounts for vehicles making return crossings. A complete fare list is available via the ferry Facebook page listed above..

Missouri and Kentucky have the geographic distinction of being the only border states that are not directly connected by a road or bridge. The only direct route between the two states is the Dorena-Hickman Ferry.