Hickman, Ky.—After being closed due to low water, the Dorena-Hickman Ferry has resumed service.
Low water on the Mississippi River and a sand bar prevented the ferry from reaching the Missouri Landing. On Wednesday, equipment was brought in to help push the sand away from the landing. That has allowed the ferry to reopen this morning.
This morning the Cairo gauge was at 18.32, with indications river levels will continue to slowly drop in coming weeks without substantial rain upstream.
The Dorena-Hickman Ferry is open and operating on the summer schedule.
As a reminder, the Dorena-Hickman Ferry is temporarily operating on a limited 5-day-a-week schedule. The ferry operates 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/.
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.