Merimac Ferry © 2009 Bo Mackison
Merimac Ferry season has started again. The free ferry, which crosses the Wisconsin River between Merimac and Okee, Wisconsin, runs between April and November. The dates aren’t exact as the ferry runs until the river ices over, usually in November, when the crossing becomes impossible. Service resumes on ice out, most often in mid to late April.
The ferry, called the Colsac III, connects Columbia and Sauk counties on State highway 113. (Colsac is a combination of the two counties’ names.) Colsac III is operated on a winch using three underwater cables. Not only is it part of the state highway system, it is also a tourist attraction. It is near popular Devil’s Lake State Park and travel destination Wisconsin Dells. There is often a wait to get on the ferry, but both landings are well set with snack bars and other facilities, so most people don’t mind the wait.
Barge, Stairway, and Captain's Box © Bo Mackison
A trip across the river takes about 14 minutes. The Colsac III can carry up to 15 cars, assorted bikes, even the occasional semi-trailer truck. It operates 24 hours a day during the open water season.
The first Colsac began crossing the river in 1933 when the state of Wisconsin took over the ferry service and the ferry accommodated eight cars, although the site has been a ferry crossing since 1844. It was replaced with the Colsac II in 1963 and the capacity was increased to 12 cars. The latest Colsac III was put into service in 2003 at a cost of 2.2 million dollrs.
The ferry crossing is on the National and Wisconsin Register of Historic Places.
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Bo Mackison has a series of photographs of the historic buildings in Wisconsin available for licensing and publication. For information, contact Bo at bo@historicplacesphotography.com.
{ 1 comment }
What a great bit of history and attraction. I’d love to take a ride sometime.
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