The Green River Ferry infrastructure at Mammoth Cave National Park sustained extensive damage to its navigational cables and support towers during last week’s flooding event.

The ferry will be closed for several months until repairs are complete.

“Our team is assessing the damage at the Green River Ferry to determine if we can simply make repairs to the existing cables and towers or if a full reconstruction of the system is required,” said park superintendent Barclay Trimble in a news release. “The ferry is an important link for our visitors, staff and local communities to cross the Green River, but, unfortunately the damage we are seeing from the flood is not easily fixed.”

During the recent flooding, the river reached a crest of 59.54 feet with a waterflow of just under 55,000 cubic feet per second. Traditionally during the month of April, the water level at the Green River Ferry crossing averages between 15 to 22 feet with a water flow of just under 5,000 cubic feet per second.

The high volume of water caused one of the concrete anchors to be pulled from the riverbank and moved 20 feet downhill and also caused extreme stress on the four support towers, which are now leaning.

Until the cable system and towers are repaired, the ferry cannot operate, according to the release.

Although the vehicle ferry operation and boat ramp will be closed, the Green River Ferry day use area will remain open.

Hikers can continue to use the accessible Echo River Spring Trail and picnic area and river paddlers can continue to use the canoe and kayak ramp.

Once a construction plan has been fully developed, future closures of the ferry area may be required, but the park will announce temporary closures in advance.

The Green River Ferry Road North will remain open to passenger vehicles only. Recreational vehicles and vehicles with trailers are prohibited.

For directions to Mammoth Cave National Park and information on how to reach the areas on the opposite side of the Green River, visit nps.gov.