Kentucky | South-Central Kentucky

Green River

Roachville Ford to Russell Ford Access

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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.

LevelCheckingChecking
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DifficultyeasyThis is still a manageable Green River float, but the islands, chutes, shallow shoals, and easy-to-miss Russell Ford landing reward active line choice rather than sleepy drifting.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use only the KDFWR-listed public accesses, follow Kentucky boating and PFD rules, and stay off private banks between the endpoints.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a day route. KDFWR does not document camping or normal overnight support at Roachville or Russell Ford.
SeasonMar-NovThis short upper-Green day is most practical from spring through fall when the Greensburg stage is stable. Summer lows can turn the riffles and shoals into a slower scrape-fest, while storms or releases can make the channels around the islands pushier than they first look.

Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.

Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access, shuttle, and map

Launch at Roachville Ford and take out at Russell Ford for the manageable 6.6-mile Upper Green float. Use the Greensburg gauge and expect a slower, scrape-prone ride whenever the stage sits below KDFWR's 1.0 to 1.75 ft good band.

Start

Put-in

Roachville FordOpen map

Roachville Ford is a low-water gravel ford with limited roadside parking and no services. Be ready for muddy footing and brief carry or drag moves at lower water.

Finish

Take-out

Russell Ford AccessOpen map

Russell Ford sits in the middle of a shoal on river left. KDFWR warns that paddlers unfamiliar with the route can drift past the take-out if they stay in the main right channel.

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Roachville Ford is a low-water gravel ford with limited roadside parking and no services. Be ready for muddy footing and brief carry or drag moves at lower water.
  • Russell Ford sits in the middle of a shoal on river left. KDFWR warns that paddlers unfamiliar with the route can drift past the take-out if they stay in the main right channel.
  • Both endpoints are public, but most shoreline between them is private and should not be treated as a casual stop or backup exit.

Watch for

  • Low water below about 1.0 ft, when shoals, sticky mud, and dragging become more common.
  • High water above about 1.75 ft, when current through islands, chutes, and bends gets pushier.
  • Fresh wood, bridge-adjacent current, and take-out confusion at Russell Ford.

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Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.

Read quality
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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteGreen River at Greensburg, KY
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Target band1.00 ft to 1.75 ft
Low threshold1.00 ft
High threshold1.75 ft
Data confidence behind the rangeOfficial data source
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Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreKDFWR recommended river levels for Green River at Greensburg
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What 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 segmentRoachville Ford to Russell Ford, 6.6 mi

    KDFWR's Upper Green article still lists this exact public float at 6.6 miles.

    Source

  • Official level band1.0-1.75 ft good

    KDFWR rates the Green River gauge at Greensburg as Low below 1.0 ft, Good from 1.0 to 1.75 ft, and High above 1.75 ft.

    Source

  • Put-in accessRoachville Ford, 37.2353, -85.4241

    KDFWR identifies Roachville Ford as a free public low-water ford access with limited roadside parking and no camping.

    Source

  • Take-out accessRussell Ford Access, 37.2738, -85.4784

    KDFWR identifies Russell Ford as a free public carry-down access with unpaved parking and year-round 24-hour availability.

    Source

  • Live-gauge supportUSGS 03306500 at 1.58 ft

    USGS Water Services returned a same-day July 10, 2026 06:15 CDT gage-height reading for Green River at Greensburg during this run. That stage sits inside KDFWR's good band.

    Source

  • Route characterIslands, chutes, shoals, and an easy-to-miss take-out

    KDFWR describes this upper section as islands and chutes through water willow beds and warns that paddlers new to the route can float past Russell Ford if they are not looking for the left-side take-out.

    Source

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Green River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Green River?

Paddle Today watches Green River at Greensburg, KY and treats 1.00 ft to 1.75 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 Roachville Ford and ends at Russell Ford Access, about About 6.6 mi on the water.

Is this Green River route good for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.