South Fork Licking River At Hayes Flow Report
As of July 21, 2026, South Fork Licking River At Hayes is flowing at 257 cfs with a gage height of 3.61 ft, rising 68% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03253000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
South Fork Licking River At Hayes at a glance
How South Fork Licking River At Hayes is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
South Fork Licking River At Hayes is flowing at 257 cfs, with the water sitting 3.61 ft at the gage. Flow is up 68% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03253000 in Kentucky. Over the past 10 days the average has been 394 cfs, peaking at 941 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Kentucky flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #03253000).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, South Fork Licking River At Hayes is expected to hold near today's 257 cfs, toward roughly 242 cfs by 2026-07-26 (likely range 40-1468 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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 Licking River At Hayes
The river is fed by various smaller streams and tributaries and is regulated by the Kincaid Dam upstream. Seasonally, the river sees the highest flows during the spring months due to snowmelt and rainfall, while summer and fall months see lower average flows. Interestingly, the South Fork Licking River is known for its historical importance as a major transportation route for early settlers and later, for carrying logs downstream to sawmills. Today, the river is primarily used for recreational activities such as fishing and paddling.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check South Fork Licking River At Hayes's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| South Fork Licking River At Hayes | 257 cfs |
| Licking River At Catawba | 1,110 cfs |
| Licking River At Mckinneysburg | 645 cfs |
| Cruises Creek At Hwy 17 Nr Piner | 9 cfs |
| North Fork Licking River Near Mt Olivet | 6 cfs |
| Twelvemile Creek At Highway 1997 Nr Alexandria | 11 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near South Fork Licking River At Hayes. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ark Encounter | 0 in |
| Augusta 2 | 0 in |
| Carlisle 7.6 Nnw | 0 in |
| Glencoe 2nw | 0 in |
| Cheviot 3w | 0 in |
| Mount Sterling | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of South Fork Licking River At Hayes.
Boat launches
See all →
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 Licking River At Hayes 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 Licking River At Hayes crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About South Fork Licking River At Hayes
Where does the streamflow data for South Fork Licking River At Hayes come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03253000. 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 Licking River At Hayes 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 Licking River At Hayes report
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