The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is Closed for the Remainder of Today Due to High Winds

January 19, 2023

PADUCAH, Ky. (Dec. 22, 2022) —The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is closed due to high winds.

The ferry halted operation about 10:15 a.m., CST, when winds out of the south at about 30 miles per hour and gusts to about 41 mph created hazardous river conditions. When the wind is out of the south or southwest it interacts with current in the Mississippi River to create choppy conditions.

Based on the weather forecast, the Dorena-Hickman Ferry will likely remain closed for the rest of the day. The ferry plans to reopen on Friday morning on the winter schedule.

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

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.

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.

The Dorena-Hickman Ferry operates at Mississippi River navigation mile point 922.0.