Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge is flowing at 7,330 cfs with a gage height of 12.62 ft, rising 51% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03286500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge at a glance
How Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge is flowing at 7,330 cfs, with the water sitting 12.62 ft at the gage. Flow is up 51% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03286500 in Kentucky. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4,478 cfs, peaking at 7,330 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge is expected to recede from today's 7330 cfs, toward roughly 5447 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 2722-10901 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Kentucky flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge
The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Dix River, which flows into the Kentucky River near Lock 7. The Highbridge Dam, located upstream from the streamgauge, also affects the flow of water in the river. Seasonally, the river experiences higher flows during the spring due to snowmelt and increased precipitation. Interestingly, the Kentucky River is known for its diverse aquatic life, including rare species such as the Kentucky arrow darter and the green salamander.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge | 7,330 cfs |
| Kentucky River At Lock 6 Near Salvisa | 6,590 cfs |
| Kentucky River At Lock 8 Near Camp Nelson | 6,160 cfs |
| Dix River Near Danville | 231 cfs |
| Kentucky River At Lock 9 At Valley View | 6,130 cfs |
| South Elkhorn Creek At Fort Spring | 41 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Cressy | 0 in |
| Clover Bottom 1 Wsw | 0 in |
| Water Works-Kentucky #4 | 0 in |
| Mount Sterling | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge.
Boat launches
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River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge
Where does the streamflow data for Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03286500. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Kentucky River At Lock 7 At Highbridge report
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