Barren River Flow Today
As of October 3, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Barren River is flowing at 257 cfs at Bowling Green, KY — 68% of normal for the date and up 6% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Barren River map
See the Barren River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
✓ Free for 7 days · ✓ Cancel anytime
Barren River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Bowling Green, the Barren River is running 257 cfs — 68% of normal, up 6% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 68% of normal).
How the Barren River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Bowling Green430 ft 257 cfs68%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Barren River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (68%).
Barren River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Barren River At Bowling Green KY
Oct 3, 2:45 AM · USGS 03314500 |
257 cfs | 68% | +6% | 3.99 ft | 24.0 ft below | 430 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Barren River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Barren River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).
Barren River
The Barren River is a 135-mile river in Kentucky that flows through Barren, Metcalfe, Monroe, Edmonson, and Warren counties. It was originally used by Native Americans for transportation and hunting. In the late 1700s, European settlers began using the river for transportation, trade, and agriculture. Today, the river is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and has four reservoirs: Barren River Lake, Nolin River Lake, Green River Lake, and Rough River Lake. These reservoirs provide hydroelectric power, flood control, and recreation opportunities such as boating, fishing, and camping. Additionally, the Barren River is used for agricultural purposes as it provides irrigation for farms in the surrounding areas. Overall, the Barren River has a rich history and plays an important role in the economy and recreational activities of Kentucky.
About the Barren River
How is the Barren River flowing right now?
As of October 3, 2026, the Barren River is flowing at 257 cfs at Bowling Green, KY, about 68% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Barren River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Barren River is at 68% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Barren River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Bowling Green (28.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.