Kentucky | Northeastern Kentucky
Slate CreekLions Club Park to Old Slate Furnace Park
Short Bath County half-day float from the Owingsville Lions Club access to Old Slate Furnace Park. KDFWR documents the public carry-down endpoints, 3.7-mile mileage, and official Slate Creek flow band, but this shallow creek needs enough water and a conservative low-head-dam check at the start.
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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 from the Lions Club Park carry-down access below the low-head-dam area and take out 3.7 miles downstream at Old Slate Furnace Park. KDFWR gives a good Slate Creek boating and fishing band of 100 to 200 cfs.
Access map
Put-in
Lions Club Park carry-down accessLions Club Park sits by a low-head dam visible from the Kendall Springs Road bridge. Use the KDFWR-listed carry-down access below the dam and do not launch above the dam for this route.
Take-out
Old Slate Furnace Park carry-down accessOld Slate Furnace Park is a KDFWR carry-down site with unpaved parking, picnic tables, and a historic furnace. Land at the park access rather than spreading onto nearby banks.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Old Slate Furnace Park on KY 36 south of Owingsville, then drive back to the Lions Club / Kendall Springs Road access. Inspect the launch first because KDFWR notes a low-head dam at Lions Club Park and the downstream launch line uses the access below the dam.
Additional access notes
- KDFWR describes Slate Creek as shallow with abundant rock bars and water willow beds, so low water can turn this short float into a draggy creek walk.
- KDFWR notes limited hours or event restrictions at Lions Club Park. Check same-day park access before leaving a shuttle vehicle.
More route and safety guidance
- Stay away from low-head-dam hydraulics and boils near Lions Club Park, especially at high or stained water.
- Small-creek wood, strainers, quick rain response, and private-bank limits require current access and flow checks.
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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
Slate Creek at Highway 713 near Mt. Sterling, 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 | Slate Creek at Highway 713 near Mt. Sterling, KY |
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| Preferred range | 100 cfs to 200 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 200 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 Slate Creek downstream of Howards Mill |
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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 band100-200 cfs
KDFWR rates Slate Creek from Howards Mill downstream to the Licking River as Low below 100 cfs, Good from 100 to 200 cfs, and High above 200 cfs.
- Official route segmentLions Club Park to Old Slate Furnace Park, 3.7 miles
KDFWR lists Lions Club Park to Old Slate Furnace Park as a 3.7-mile public-access segment on Slate Creek.
- Blue Water Trail contextExcellent half-day float
KDFWR Blue Water Trails describes the Lions Club access-to-Old Slate Furnace Park float as nearly four miles with a quick shuttle, ending at the park on river right just below Mill Creek.
- Put-in accessLions Club Park, 38.1305, -83.7665
KDFWR identifies Slate Creek - Lions Club as a free carry-down site with unpaved parking, year-round 24-hour boat-ramp availability, and a dam note for the creek here.
- Take-out accessOld Slate Furnace Park, 38.1148, -83.7475
KDFWR identifies Slate Creek - Old Slate Furnace as a free carry-down site with unpaved parking, picnic-area availability, and a canoe/kayak launch suitable for carry-down use.
- Gauge check during route review · May 31, 2026USGS 03250190
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.
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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