Ferry Reopens After Two-Month Closure Due To Low Water

After being closed since September 12 due to low water on the Mississippi River, the Dorena-Hickman Ferry resumed service November 16.

The ferry reopened when the river reached 17.15 feet at Cairo, allowing the ferry to access the Missouri landing, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The river was expected to rise to 19 feet on the gauge by November 19 before slowly starting to drop again over the next week.

The ferry, located at Mile 922.0, connects Hickman, Ky., with Dorena, Mo. It is the only direct connection between the states of Kentucky and Missouri and provides a critical transportation link for both daily commuters and farmers, transportation officials said. It also serves as a tourist attraction for the region, providing a convenient route between southeast Missouri and popular fishing and recreation areas around nearby Reelfoot Lake in northwest Tennessee.

The ferry is operating on a winter schedule with the last ferry run from the Kentucky landing at 4:15 p.m. and the last run to the Missouri landing at 4:30. It is temporarily operating on a limited, five-day-a-week schedule Thursday through Monday but is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays until the ferry service 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 facebook.com/DorenaHickmanFerry.