See all 9 routes on Levisa Fork
Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky
Levisa ForkPrestonsburg Ramp to Airport Ramp
Broad lower-Levisa day float from Prestonsburg Ramp to Airport Ramp. KDFWR still lists the public 8.2-mile segment directly, publishes a separate Prestonsburg gauge band for this downstream corridor, and keeps both endpoints on source-backed public ramps.
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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 Prestonsburg Ramp and take out about 8.2 miles downstream at Airport Ramp for the first lower-Levisa segment. KDFWR uses the Prestonsburg gauge here and rates 800 to 1,500 cfs, or 3.5 to 5.0 ft, as the good boating band.
Access map
Put-in
Prestonsburg RampPrestonsburg Ramp is a paved public River Park launch with year-round availability, but it sits in an active town setting. Scout parking and ramp traffic before committing to the shuttle.
Take-out
Airport RampAirport Ramp is the downstream public KDFWR take-out near the Paintsville-Prestonsburg-Combs Air Field. Stay with the signed ramp and parking area rather than informal banks.
Road shuttle
Stage the Airport Ramp vehicle first, then drive back to Prestonsburg Ramp at River Park. Inspect both ramps before launching because lower-river mud lines, park traffic, or bridge-area changes can affect how easy the landings feel on a given day.
Additional access notes
- Below KDFWR's Prestonsburg good range of 800–1,500 cfs or 3.5–5.0 ft, expect slower pools, shallower shoals, or dragging; check the live reading and trend.
- KDFWR does not document an overnight plan at either endpoint, so do not assume camping or private-bank stopping rights along the corridor.
More route and safety guidance
- Fishtrap Dam releases contribute to lower-river flow. Use the direct Prestonsburg gauge and stay within KDFWR's 800-1,500 cfs / 3.5-5.0 ft good band rather than assuming release-supported flow is automatically suitable.
- Use only the documented Prestonsburg and Airport public ramps for the planned endpoints, and scout both landings before committing to the shuttle.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
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
Levisa Fork at Prestonsburg, 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 | Levisa Fork at Prestonsburg, KY |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | 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 |
| Preferred range | 800 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 800 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | KDFWR recommended river levels for Levisa Fork at Prestonsburg |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 level band800-1,500 cfs / 3.5-5.0 ft
KDFWR rates Levisa Fork at Prestonsburg as Low below 800 cfs or 3.5 ft, Good from 800 to 1,500 cfs or 3.5 to 5.0 ft, and High above 1,500 cfs or 5.0 ft.
- Official route segmentPrestonsburg Ramp to Airport Ramp, 8.2 miles
The current KDFWR Levisa Fork mileage table lists Prestonsburg Ramp to Airport Ramp directly as an 8.2-mile public route.
- Put-in accessPrestonsburg Ramp, 37.6663, -82.7759
KDFWR identifies Prestonsburg Ramp at River Park as a paved public single-lane ramp with year-round 24-hour boat-ramp access and no camping listed.
- Take-out accessAirport Ramp, 37.7427, -82.7702
KDFWR identifies Airport Ramp as a paved public single-lane ramp near the Paintsville-Prestonsburg-Combs Air Field with year-round 24-hour boat-ramp access and no camping listed.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-15USGS 03209800 at 793 cfs / 2.80 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.
- Camping postureNo verified route camping on this lower corridor
Current KDFWR access-detail pages list Camping as None for Airport Ramp and do not document a campground-based overnight plan at Prestonsburg Ramp. Treat the route as a day float rather than implying a supported overnight.
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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