West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin flow report
As of July 13, 2026, West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin is flowing at 155 cfs with a gage height of 7.61 ft, receding 21% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03313700, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin at a glance
How West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin is flowing at 155 cfs, with the water sitting 7.61 ft at the gage. Flow is down 21% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03313700 in Kentucky. Over the past 10 days the average has been 56 cfs, peaking at 198 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin is expected to recede from today's 155 cfs, toward roughly 95 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 35-262 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.
West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin
The primary flow contributors are precipitation and runoff from surrounding land use, which includes agriculture and urban development. No major dams or tributaries are located near this stream gauge. Seasonal trends show higher flows during the winter and spring months due to increased precipitation and snowmelt. Interesting facts about the hydrology of this area include the presence of karst terrain, which can cause rapid and unpredictable changes in streamflow during heavy rainfall events. Additionally, the West Fork of Drakes Creek is noted for its diverse aquatic species, including several species of endangered mussels.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin | 155 cfs |
| Drakes Creek Near Alvaton | 705 cfs |
| Barren River At Bowling Green | 3,170 cfs |
| Dry Creek Near Edenwold | 8 cfs |
| Red River At Port Royal | 1,640 cfs |
| Whites Creek Near Bordeaux | 107 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethpage 1s | 0 in |
| Barren River Lake | 0 in |
| Aberdeen | 0 in |
| Berry Field/Percy Priest Lk 1w | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin.
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 West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin
Where does the streamflow data for West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03313700. 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 West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin 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 West Fork Drakes Creek Near Franklin report
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