See all 5 routes on North Fork Kentucky River
Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky
North Fork Kentucky River
Watts Ramp to Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier
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 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.
Prepare this trip
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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.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Watts 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.
- Hazard 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.
- The Hazard gauge read slightly below the official band during this run, so expect slower current and more scrape-prone riffles than the ideal KDFWR day.
Watch for
- Shallow riffles and dragging once the Hazard stage falls below 4.25 ft.
- Fast rain-driven rises, muddy current, and fresh wood or strainers moving into outside bends.
- Fatigue, sparse developed exits, and the mandatory low-head-dam-aware finish in Hazard.
Route gallery
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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 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 |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 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 |
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 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.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 03277500 at 4.10 ft
USGS Water Services returned a same-day stage of 4.10 ft at 19:45 EDT on July 3, 2026 for the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard.
- 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
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 Hazard, KY and treats 4.25 ft to 5.00 ft 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 Watts Ramp and ends at Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier, about About 22.2 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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