See all 5 routes on North Fork Kentucky River
Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky
North Fork Kentucky River
Roy Spencer Ramp to Beattyville Ramp
Check current paddling conditions for this North Fork Kentucky 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
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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.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at Roy Spencer Ramp and finish 34.0 miles downstream at Beattyville for the lower North Fork Kentucky River marathon day. KDFWR gives the Jackson gauge a good band of 200 to 500 cfs, or 1.6 to 2.5 ft, and the same-day USGS reading landed inside that band during this run.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Roy Spencer RampRoy Spencer is a smaller bridge-area launch with a limited paved lot and simpler landing than the downstream finish. Inspect it before the shuttle commitment feels locked in.
Take-out
Beattyville RampBeattyville is the intended finish near the confluence area. Do not casually continue downstream toward the main Kentucky River corridor or the downstream lock-and-dam pool.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Roy Spencer is a smaller bridge-area launch with a limited paved lot and simpler landing than the downstream finish. Inspect it before the shuttle commitment feels locked in.
- Beattyville is the intended finish near the confluence area. Do not casually continue downstream toward the main Kentucky River corridor or the downstream lock-and-dam pool.
- This route is long enough that weather changes, fatigue, and slow low-water miles matter more than the non-technical character of the current on a normal day.
Watch for
- Low water below 200 cfs or 1.6 ft, when long broad sections slow down and shallow shoals become more tedious.
- High water above 500 cfs or 2.5 ft, when the lower North Fork gets faster, muddier, and less forgiving over a very long distance.
- Fresh wood, strainers, limited mid-route exits, and private or muddy banks away from the named ramps.
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.
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Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson, 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 |
| Target band | 200 cfs to 500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | 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 North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson |
| 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 segmentRoy Spencer Ramp to Beattyville Ramp, 34.0 mi
KDFWR lists Roy Spencer Ramp to Beattyville Ramp as a 34.0-mile North Fork Kentucky River segment in the access-mileage table.
- Official level band200-500 cfs / 1.6-2.5 ft
KDFWR rates the North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson as Low below 200 cfs or 1.6 ft, Good from 200 to 500 cfs or 1.6 to 2.5 ft, and High above 500 cfs or 2.5 ft.
- Put-in accessRoy Spencer Ramp, 37.6016, -83.4476
KDFWR lists Roy Spencer Ramp as the bridge-side public launch below KY 541 with published coordinates, a small paved lot, and a picnic shelter.
- Take-out accessBeattyville Ramp, 37.5707, -83.7027
KDFWR lists Beattyville Ramp as a two-lane public launch off Water Street with published coordinates, large paved parking, and a fishing pier near the North and South Fork confluence area.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 03280000 at 291 cfs / 1.66 ft
USGS Water Services returned same-day Jackson values on July 3, 2026: 291 cfs at 18:30 EDT and 1.66 ft at 19:00 EDT.
- Route characterLong rural lower-river day into Beattyville
KDFWR says the Beattyville finish is a fully developed public ramp near the confluence while the Roy Spencer put-in is a simpler bridge access, making this a long committed rural float with few developed mid-route exits.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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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Quick answers
North Fork Kentucky River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling North Fork Kentucky River?
Paddle Today watches North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson, KY and treats 200 cfs to 500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this North Fork Kentucky River route start and end?
This route starts at Roy Spencer Ramp and ends at Beattyville Ramp, about About 34.0 mi on the water.
Is this North Fork Kentucky 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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