Rockcastle River Flow Today
As of October 12, 2026 at 3:30 AM, the Rockcastle River is flowing at 27 cfs at Billows, KY — 45% of normal for the date and up 19% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Rockcastle River map
See the Rockcastle 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
Rockcastle 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 Billows, the Rockcastle River is running 27 cfs — 45% of normal, up 19% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 45% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Billows (+19%).
Paddlers: 0 of 1 runs on the Rockcastle River with a live range are in range, 1 too low.
How the Rockcastle 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
- Billows888 ft 27 cfs45%
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 Rockcastle River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (45%).
Rockcastle River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rockcastle River At Billows KY
Oct 12, 3:30 AM · USGS 03406500 |
27 cfs | 45% | +19% | 1.02 ft | 888 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.
Paddle runs on the Rockcastle River
Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows Gauge: Billows |
Too low | 27 cfs | 209–1,651 cfs typical | III–V |
Dams & reservoirs on the Rockcastle River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Rockcastle 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).
Rockcastle River
The Rockcastle River is located in southeastern Kentucky and runs for approximately 78 miles. It has a rich history, as evidence of prehistoric Native American settlements can be found along its banks. Additionally, the river played a significant role in the early development of Kentucky's coal mining industry.
The hydrology of the Rockcastle River is characterized by moderate to high flows, with frequent flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Two major dams, the Renfro Dam and the Rockcastle Dam, were constructed along the river for hydroelectric generation and flood control purposes.
The Rockcastle River and its surrounding watershed provide important recreational opportunities for activities such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The river also supports agricultural activities, including livestock grazing and crop production in the surrounding farmland.
Fishing near the Rockcastle River
About the Rockcastle River
How is the Rockcastle River flowing right now?
As of October 12, 2026, the Rockcastle River is flowing at 27 cfs at Billows, KY, about 45% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Rockcastle River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Rockcastle River is at 45% 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.
Is the Rockcastle River runnable for paddling today?
Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
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.