South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville flow report
As of July 13, 2026, South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville is flowing at 924 cfs with a gage height of 6.03 ft, receding 68% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03281500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville at a glance
How South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville is flowing at 924 cfs, with the water sitting 6.03 ft at the gage. Flow is down 68% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03281500 in Kentucky. Over the past 10 days the average has been 601 cfs, peaking at 2,910 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville is expected to recede from today's 924 cfs, toward roughly 530 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 162-1735 cfs) -- about 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.
South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville
The main constituents of the river include water, sediment, and dissolved minerals. It is fed by several tributaries and dams along the way. Seasonal trends show that the river experiences high flows during the spring and early summer due to snowmelt and rainfall, while low flows occur during late summer and fall. Interestingly, the South Fork Kentucky River is home to various fish species, including bass, catfish, and sunfish. Additionally, the river is a popular spot for recreational activities such as fishing and canoeing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville | 924 cfs |
| Middle Fork Kentucky River At Tallega | 561 cfs |
| Kentucky River At Lock 14 At Heidelberg | 4,340 cfs |
| Sturgeon Creek At Cressmont | 207 cfs |
| North Fork Kentucky River At Jackson | 1,400 cfs |
| Kentucky River At Lock 12 Near Irvine | 0 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville. 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 |
|---|---|
| Booneville 12sw | 0 in |
| Beattyville 4n | 0 in |
| Jackson | 0 in |
| Clover Bottom 1 Wsw | 0 in |
| Water Works-Kentucky #4 | 0 in |
| Cressy | 0 in |
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 South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville
Where does the streamflow data for South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03281500. 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 South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville 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 South Fork Kentucky River At Booneville report
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