The Ohio River ferry is still in operation today, but several county roads remain flooded as the level of the Ohio continues to rise and drainage from tributaries backs up.
At 8:30 this morning, the gauge at Shawneetown, Ill., reported the river at 7 feet above flood stage. Ferry operation generally ceases due to high water at about 9.5 feet above flood stage. The river is expected to reach that level in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, meaning service could be unavailable after tonight for several days.
The river is forecast to crest at 11.5 feet above flood stage around noon Monday, which would be the highest January crest since 1974. It should drop to a level allowing for ferry operation to resume sometime in the early morning hours of Wednesday.
River gauge at Shawneetown, Ill.
Historic crests
65.64 feet on Jan. 30, 1937
56.35 feet on May 6, 2011
55.60 feet on March 14, 1945
55.30 feet on Jan. 19, 1950
54.60 feet on March 20, 1964
Recent crests
48.36 feet on March 20, 2015
44.50 feet, expected crest on Jan. 3, 2016
41.28 feet on April 11, 2014
40.14 feet, latest reported level today
39.14 feet on Dec. 30, 2013
56.35 feet on May 6, 2011
39.29 feet on May 10, 2010
