Licking River Flow Today
As of October 6, 2026 at 3:00 AM, the Licking River is flowing at 436 cfs near Newark Oh, OH — 415% of normal for the date and down 6% in 24 hours. 5 of 5 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 14 to 436 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Licking River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Licking 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 Newark Oh, the Licking River is running 436 cfs — 415% of normal, down 6% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 5 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 51% of normal).
Highest against normal: Newark Oh at 415%. Lowest: Catawba at 32%.
How the Licking 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
- Salyersville864 ft 14 cfs95%
- Newark Oh782 ft 436 cfs415%
- Blue Lick Springs613 ft 119 cfs51%
- Catawba583 ft 135 cfs32%
- Mckinneysburg574 ft 137 cfs49%
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 Licking River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (51%).
Licking River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Licking River Below Mason Fork Near Salyersville KY
Oct 6, 3:15 AM · USGS 03248300 |
14 cfs | 95% | -3% | 4.61 ft | 12.4 ft below | 864 ft |
|
Licking River Near Newark Oh OH
Oct 6, 3:00 AM · USGS 03146500 |
436 cfs | 415% | -6% | 3.73 ft | 10.3 ft below | 782 ft |
|
Licking River At Blue Lick Springs KY
Oct 6, 3:00 AM · USGS 03250500 |
119 cfs | 51% | -5% | 4.27 ft | 20.7 ft below | 613 ft |
|
Licking River At Catawba KY
Oct 6, 3:00 AM · USGS 03253500 |
135 cfs | 32% | -4% | 5.36 ft | · | 583 ft |
|
Licking River At Mckinneysburg KY
Oct 6, 3:45 AM · USGS 03251500 |
137 cfs | 49% | -4% | 4.24 ft | 30.8 ft below | 574 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 Licking River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Licking River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Licking River
The Licking River is a 303-mile-long river that runs through Kentucky and Ohio, USA. The river has a rich history, dating back to the pre-colonial era, when it was used as a major trade route for Native Americans. The Licking River also played a significant role in the development of the region's agriculture and industry. The river is home to several dams and reservoirs, including the William H. Harsha Lake and the Cave Run Lake, which provide drinking water, flood control, and hydroelectric power. The Licking River supports a wide range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and camping. Additionally, it is an important source of irrigation water for many farms in the area, and supports the growth of crops such as corn and soybeans. Despite its importance, the Licking River faces several challenges, including pollution and habitat destruction, which threaten its long-term health and vitality.
Fishing near the Licking River
About the Licking River
How is the Licking River flowing right now?
As of October 6, 2026, the Licking River is flowing at 436 cfs near Newark Oh, OH, about 415% of normal for the date. Across its 5 USGS gauges, current flows range from 14 to 436 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Licking River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Licking River is at 51% 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 Licking River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Salyersville (17.0 ft), Newark Oh (14.0 ft), Blue Lick Springs (25.0 ft), Mckinneysburg (35.0 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.