See all 10 routes on Barren River
Kentucky | South-Central Kentucky
Barren RiverMartinsville Ford / Claypool Ramp to Potter/Combs Ramp
Long lower-Barren route from Martinsville Ford / Claypool Ramp to Potter/Combs Ramp at Weldon Pete Park. KDFWR lists this exact 24-mile segment and ties it to the direct Bowling Green gauge with official 350 to 700 cfs good-flow guidance.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Martinsville Ford / Claypool Ramp and finish at Potter/Combs Ramp for the official 24-mile lower-Barren middle segment. Use the Bowling Green gauge and expect a slow low-water day whenever the river stays below 350 cfs.
Access map
Put-in
Martinsville Ford / Claypool RampThis is a very long lower-Barren day. Start early enough that low water, fishing, or wind does not push the take-out into dusk.
Take-out
Potter/Combs RampPotter/Combs sits above a dam-influenced pooled section near Weldon Pete Park. Use the named park ramp rather than drifting downstream looking for another city-bank exit.
Road shuttle
Leave the downstream vehicle at Potter/Combs Ramp in Weldon Pete Park, then drive back to Martinsville Ford / Claypool Ramp. This is a real full-day shuttle-and-commitment route, not a casual short float.
Additional access notes
- Most of the shoreline between the two ramps is private. Do not treat sand or mud banks as public rest stops just because the river is broad.
More route and safety guidance
- KDFWR says Potter/Combs sits above a dam-influenced pooled section, so stay with the named take-out and do not drift downstream assuming the route stays casual.
- Low water can turn a 24-mile day into a much longer commitment.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
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Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Barren River at Bowling Green, KY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Barren River at Bowling Green, KY |
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| Preferred range | 350 cfs to 700 cfs |
| Low threshold | 350 cfs |
| High threshold | 700 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | KDFWR recommended Bowling Green flow band |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route segmentMartinsville Ford / Claypool Ramp to Potter/Combs Ramp, 24.0 mi
KDFWR lists this exact downstream lower-Barren site-to-site mileage.
- Official level band350-700 cfs good
KDFWR rates the Barren River at Bowling Green gauge as Low below 350 cfs, Good from 350 to 700 cfs, and High above 700 cfs.
- Put-in accessMartinsville Ford / Claypool Ramp, 36.9134, -86.2293
KDFWR access detail confirms a public ramp with year-round availability and parking along the ford crossing.
- Take-out accessPotter/Combs Ramp, 37.0027, -86.4184
KDFWR access detail confirms Potter/Combs Ramp at Weldon Pete Park as a public ramp with year-round availability.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-06-25USGS 03314500 at 185 cfs / 3.81 ft
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Downstream take-out characterWeldon Pete Park ramp above pooled dam section
KDFWR says Potter/Combs is a concrete ramp in Weldon Pete Park and notes a dam 0.6 miles downstream that deepens the river near the take-out.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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