Kentucky Landing–Based on the latest river forecast, the Cave-In-Rock Ferry could reopen sometime on Monday afternoon, February 24, 2020.
The Cave-in-Rock Ferry closed at 6 p.m., Saturday, February 15, 2020, due to rising floodwaters that covered KY 91 near the Kentucky Landing. Floodwaters have been dropping slowly since Friday night. Based on the most recent river forecast, Ferry Operator Lonnie Lewis is optimistic the ferry can be back in service by sometime on Monday afternoon.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Crittenden County Highway Maintenance Crew is prepared to start efforts to removing drift, mud, and other debris from almost a mile of KY 91 leading to the Kentucky Landing as soon as possible as floodwaters drop. Work to inspect the roadway and clear debris can take several hours to complete.
Lewis anticipates being able to provide notice an hour or two before ferry service resumes.
The Cave-in-Rock Ferry normally has to close when Ohio River floodwaters go above 42 ft. on the Shawneetown gauge. However, Lewis said for this event floodwater backed up from below forcing the ferry to close about a half a day earlier than what the normal river forecast indicated.
As floodwaters stabilized during the week, the Shawneetown gauge again took over as the best indicator of river levels that impact the ferry landing.
Again, Lewis said it could be Noon or later on Monday before a timeline can be established for resuming ferry service. The ferry operating status is posted at www.facebook.com/CIRFerry.
The Cave-In-Rock Ferry connects KY 91 with ILLINOIS Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County, KY, and Hardin County, IL.
The ferry normally operates from 6:00 a.m. to 9:50 p.m. central time, 7 days a week. The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.
The Cave-In-Rock Ferry is at Ohio River navigation mile point 881.0.
The Cave-In-Rock Ferry is operated by an independent contractor with joint funding from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Illinois Department of Transportation through a ferry authority.
For more info go to www.facebook.com/CIRFerry.
Timely traffic advisories for the 12 counties of KYTC Highway District 1 are available by going towww.facebook.com/kytcdistric
Navigate traffic at goky.ky.gov, at waze.com, or with the WAZE App.