Cooper Creek Ferry

We are due through there on 9th July so looks like we will get a ferry ride. I hope the cueue is not too long. We don't want to be late for dinner at the Muranganie Hotel.
Kevin

Hi nrb1748

The reason why I have not given out any latest updates is because from what my contacts have to say, there is still a lot of uncertainty as to weather the ferry will actually run.

Now that you have asked, this is now the most reliable up to date information that I can post and more reliable than the Weatherzone report.

These are the true facts from Patsy at Etadunna as of 10.30am Monday 20th June and my later phone call with my contact within Transport SA.

Yes the water has reached the actual ferry site, filled Lake Kopperamanna and is at the windrow of the actual Birdsville Track, but not over the actual Track as of today. The Cooper has slightly picked up in speed over the last few weeks, but nothing compared to last year, with an average height in water levels increasing around 5cm per day, some more, some less.

Last year there was a very large volume of water that came down the Cooper, with massive and constant local rain and within 24 hours of reaching and crossing the Birdsville Track, the water level was over 1.2 metres deep in many places over the road.

This season in 2011, there has been no substantial rainfall around Etadunna Station since January and as late as 10 days ago, they were still getting daytime temperatures of around 31 degrees C.

As for the actual ferry, road conditions over the Birdsville Track have to be unsafe for standard conventional vehicles before the actual ferry will take its first vehicle. The ferry has been serviced, and Transport SA road crews are in place for the moment that it is deemed important for the ferry to run. Just because the Cooper crosses the actual Birdsville Track, will not give the green light for the ferry and at its current rate of flow, it could still be another 2 or 3 weeks for the ferry might run, if at all.

I have also had it confirmed from my Transport SA contact that the causeway at Innamincka is now officially open, with around only 20cm of water over it. The water levels up there have dropped far quicker that was anticipated, with still over 4 metres of water over the causeway only 3 weeks or so ago.

Please do not think that I am cynical, as I would love to see the ferry run again this year, as it could be the last chance for a very long time, but if it does run, it will only be for a short period, compared to this time last year.

Like I have said many times in the past, the moment that I have any more local information from the site, readers on the forum will be the first to hear about it.



Cheers


Stephen

G'day all

I guess it comes down to this:

Do you want to rely on a post that says "how long since this has been open.", end of post;
or do you rely on info provided by a well respected long time member and his impeccable informants?

No disrespect to anyone, but I know who I'd be listening to.

Cheers, Dave

Sounds like a good chance ferry will be on again this year had privelidge of riding last
year too! Will be heading to birdsville on July 8 can't wait!