The Cave-in-Rock Ferry plans to temporarily close at 6 p.m., today, due to rising floodwaters. Based on the forecast for the Ohio River, the ferry is expected to remain closed until sometime after March 6.
There are also several roads affected by backwater. In Crittenden County, Providence Road, Enon Church Road, Blackford Church Road (Caney Fork end), Cool Springs Road, River Drive, Elizabethtown Ferry Road, Monroe Wesmoland Road and Phin Croft Road are covered in water.
The Ohio River was at 40.19 ft. on the Shawneetown gauge at 9:30 a.m., today, with a crest expected at 42.9 ft. on March 1. Based on those numbers, the Cave-in-Rock Ferry is expected to remain out of service until sometime after March 6. However, the closure could be extended if there is additional substantial rainfall.
Ferry operator Lonnie Lewis anticipates making the last run from the Illinois Landing at 5:50 p.m., with the last run from the Kentucky Landing at 6 p.m., CST, today. The 6 p.m. closure time will allow many of the ferry's daily commuters to be at the landing in time for the final run.
Temporary closure of the ferry turns a normal 20 minute trip from Cave-in-Rock, IL, to Marion, KY, into a 70 minute detour.
The Cave-in-Rock Ferry will provide timely notice when service is able to resume.
The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day. The ferry provides an economic link for daily commuters who depend on it to get to and from jobs, and serves a tourism link between the Shawnee National Forest and the Amish Community in Crittenden County. When the ferry is forced to close it turns a 10-mile trip between Cave-in-Rock, IL, and Marion, KY, into a 60-mile detour.
The Ohio River was at 40.19 ft. on the Shawneetown gauge at 9:30 a.m., today, with a crest expected at 42.9 ft. on March 1. Based on those numbers, the Cave-in-Rock Ferry is expected to remain out of service until sometime after March 6. However, the closure could be extended if there is additional substantial rainfall.
Ferry operator Lonnie Lewis anticipates making the last run from the Illinois Landing at 5:50 p.m., with the last run from the Kentucky Landing at 6 p.m., CST, today. The 6 p.m. closure time will allow many of the ferry's daily commuters to be at the landing in time for the final run.
Temporary closure of the ferry turns a normal 20 minute trip from Cave-in-Rock, IL, to Marion, KY, into a 70 minute detour.
The Cave-in-Rock Ferry will provide timely notice when service is able to resume.
The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day. The ferry provides an economic link for daily commuters who depend on it to get to and from jobs, and serves a tourism link between the Shawnee National Forest and the Amish Community in Crittenden County. When the ferry is forced to close it turns a 10-mile trip between Cave-in-Rock, IL, and Marion, KY, into a 60-mile detour.
