See all 32 routes on Green River
Kentucky | Mammoth Cave / Edmonson County
Green River
Houchins Ferry to Brownsville City Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Green River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at Houchins Ferry and take out at Brownsville City Park for the short lower Green continuation below the ferry crossing. The direct Mammoth Cave gauge still governs the route, but the current July 14 reading sits above the broad beginner-friendly band and the former Lock and Dam 6 rapid near Brownsville raises the consequence beyond a casual novice float.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Houchins FerryHouchins Ferry is the clean public launch and still provides the best legal pre-trip camping support in this corridor.
Take-out
Brownsville City ParkBrownsville City Park is the intended public take-out. NPS says private land begins after the park boundary, so do not improvise extra stops or a longer continuation without fresh access research.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Houchins Ferry is the clean public launch and still provides the best legal pre-trip camping support in this corridor.
- Brownsville City Park is the intended public take-out. NPS says private land begins after the park boundary, so do not improvise extra stops or a longer continuation without fresh access research.
- The route is short enough to look easy on paper, but the lower end deserves deliberate boat spacing and scouting if the group is unfamiliar with the former Lock and Dam 6 rapid near Brownsville.
- Ferry, road, and river conditions can change without notice. Check current Mammoth Cave conditions before the shuttle.
Watch for
- Swift current, submerged wood, and muddy or slick access surfaces even on this short leg.
- The class 2 rapid left by former Lock and Dam 6 shortly before Brownsville Boat Ramp. Scout or portage conservatively if the group is uncertain.
- Higher water above about 15 ft, when the route becomes more consequential, and launch closures at or above 20 ft.
- Private banks, limited bailout room, exposed sun, and the temptation to relax too early because the mileage is short.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Green River at Mammoth Cave, KY |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 9.00 ft to 15.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 9.00 ft |
| High threshold | 20.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Mammoth Cave NPS Green River skill-level stage guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route segmentHouchins Ferry to Brownsville, about 3.6 mi
NPS publishes Houchin Ferry to Brownsville as a 3.6-mile Green River trip with an estimated 1.5 to 2 hours of travel time.
- Official stage model9-15 ft broad audience, >=20 ft closed
NPS says beginner Green River conditions in the park are about 9 to 15 ft and launching in the park is prohibited at or above 20 ft. Paddle Today uses that as a conservative public-facing stage model.
- Put-in accessHouchins Ferry, 37.2024, -86.2376
KDFWR identifies Houchins Ferry as a public paved access with camping, restrooms, and ferry-side launch support.
- Take-out accessBrownsville City Park, 37.1964, -86.2757
KDFWR identifies Brownsville City Park as a public paved ramp with parking, toilets, and no camping at the finish.
- Live-gauge supportUSGS 03309000 at 3950 cfs / 16.15 ft
USGS Water Services returned same-day July 14, 2026 values of 3950 cfs and 16.15 ft for Green River at Mammoth Cave, above the broad beginner-friendly 9 to 15-foot band but below the NPS 20-foot launch closure.
- Brownsville hazard contextCurrent can be swift; former Lock and Dam 6 rapid near finish
NPS says current can be swift on this segment and its boating guidance notes that a class 2 rapid remains from former Lock and Dam 6 shortly before the Brownsville Boat Ramp.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- NPS Houchin Ferry to Brownsville
- NPS Canoeing, Kayaking and Boating
- NPS River Safety and Regulations
- KDFWR Houchins Ferry access detail
- KDFWR Brownsville City Park access detail
- KDFWR Lock and Dam 6 Carrydown access detail
- USGS 03309000 Green River at Mammoth Cave
- USGS 03309000 Water Services current values
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Green River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Green River?
Paddle Today watches Green River at Mammoth Cave, KY and treats 9.00 ft to 15.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Green River route start and end?
This route starts at Houchins Ferry and ends at Brownsville City Park, about About 3.6 mi on the water.
Is this Green River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.