See all 5 routes on North Fork Kentucky River
Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky
North Fork Kentucky RiverWatts Ramp to Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier
Plan the 22.2-mile Watts-to-Hazard float; allow 7–10 hours for shallow riffles and few exits. The Hazard take-out sits immediately above a low-head dam; KDFWR's good stage band is 4.25–5.0 ft.
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Watts Ramp and finish 22.2 miles downstream at Hazard City Ramp for the full upper-Hazard North Fork day. KDFWR gives the Hazard gauge a good band of 4.25 to 5.0 ft and describes this reach as a shallow-riffle float that becomes serious mainly because of the mileage and dam-adjacent finish.
Access map
Put-in
Watts RampWatts is a paved bridge-side launch with unpaved parking rather than a fully serviced park ramp, so inspect footing and vehicle placement before committing to the shuttle.
Take-out
Hazard City Ramp and Fishing PierHazard City Ramp is the planned take-out directly upstream from a low-head dam. Know the landing, exit left cleanly, and do not drift below the city ramp while regrouping.
Road shuttle
Long Perry County shuttle from Ulvah back to downtown Hazard. Stage the Hazard City finish first because the take-out sits directly upstream from a low-head dam and should already be identified before anyone launches from Watts.
Additional access notes
- When the Hazard stage is below KDFWR's 4.25 ft good-range floor, expect slower current and scrape-prone riffles. Check the live stage and trend before committing to the full trip.
More route and safety guidance
- KDFWR says the Watts reach is relatively shallow with numerous riffles, and mountain rain can raise the North Fork quickly while pushing new wood into current lines.
- Most banks away from the named accesses should be treated as private, steep, or muddy rather than casual stop points.
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Station details and river cameras
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River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, KY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
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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 | North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, 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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 4.25 ft to 5.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 4.25 ft |
| High threshold | 5.00 ft |
| 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 Hazard |
| 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 route segmentWatts Ramp to Hazard City Ramp, 22.2 mi
KDFWR lists Watts Ramp to Hazard City Ramp as a 22.2-mile North Fork Kentucky River segment in the access-mileage table.
- Official level band4.25-5.0 ft
KDFWR rates the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard as Low below 4.25 ft, Good from 4.25 to 5.0 ft, and High above 5.0 ft.
- Put-in accessWatts Ramp, 37.1283, -83.0519
KDFWR lists Watts Ramp as a paved public launch under the Watts Drive bridge in Ulvah with published coordinates and unpaved parking.
- Take-out accessHazard City Ramp, 37.2513, -83.1962
KDFWR lists the Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier as a paved public launch behind city hall with published coordinates, restrooms, parking, and a low-head-dam warning.
- Gauge check during route review · July 3, 2026USGS 03277500 at 4.10 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.
- Route characterShallow riffles, long rural day, mandatory Hazard finish
KDFWR says the Watts reach is relatively shallow with numerous riffles, while the Hazard finish sits directly upstream from a low-head dam and needs a clean take-out.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
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Other routes nearby
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