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River report

Barren River Flow Today

As of November 12, 2026 at 1:45 AM, the Barren River is flowing at 3,060 cfs at Bowling Green, KY — 99% of normal for the date. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
1 1 reporting · upstream → down
Barren River At Bowling Green: 99% of normal
Typical gauge
99% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
3,060cfs Bowling Green
Updated
Nov 12, 1:45 AM
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River briefing · Nov 12, 2026

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 3,060 cfs — 99% of normal. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are near normal (the typical gauge is at 99% of normal).

Headwaters to mouth

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

  1. Bowling Green430 ft 3,060 cfs99%

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 (99%).

Typical gauge 99%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal0Below normal0Near normal1Above normal0Much above normal0

Barren River flow report

1 gauge
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Barren River At Bowling Green KY
Nov 12, 1:45 AM · USGS 03314500
3,060 cfs 99% -1% 9.06 ft 18.9 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.

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).

About this river

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.

FAQ

About the Barren River

How is the Barren River flowing right now?

As of November 12, 2026, the Barren River is flowing at 3,060 cfs at Bowling Green, KY, about 99% 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 99% 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.

More river levels

Rivers in Kentucky

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