See all 2 routes on South Fork Kentucky River
Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky
South Fork Kentucky RiverRocky Branch Road Access to Fish Creek Boat Ramp
Long lower South Fork Kentucky River continuation from Rocky Branch Road Access to Fish Creek Boat Ramp. Current KDFWR guidance still supports this chained public reach with the Booneville gauge and a paved downstream finish north of Booneville.
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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 Rocky Branch Road Access and take out about 26.9 miles downstream at Fish Creek Boat Ramp for a long lower South Fork Kentucky River float. KDFWR gives a good Booneville gauge band of 350 to 900 cfs, or 4.8 to 6.0 ft.
Access map
Put-in
Rocky Branch Road AccessRocky Branch is a carry-down-only gravel access with limited parking and no developed amenities.
Take-out
Fish Creek Boat RampFish Creek is a free single-lane paved ramp with gravel parking and no listed amenities or camping.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Fish Creek Boat Ramp north of Booneville, then drive back to Rocky Branch Road Access. Rocky Branch is a simple carry-down put-in, so inspect both ends first and make sure the group is prepared for a long downstream commitment.
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Rocky Branch Road Access to Fish Creek Boat Ramp is about 26.9 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- Above KDFWR's 900 cfs or 6.0 ft upper good-band limit at Booneville, expect faster current and less forgiving muddy landings on this long route; compare live readings and trends before launch.
- Stay with the named public access points and do not assume side banks, bars, or private-adjacent ground are legal stopping points.
More route and safety guidance
- Treat the full Rocky Branch-to-Fish Creek chain as a long commitment with wood, strainers, private banks, limited bailouts, and fatigue exposure.
- Confirm every named access, daylight, weather, shuttle, and downstream landing before launch; do not improvise roadside take-outs.
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Conditions
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Tomorrow and the weekend
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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
South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville, 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 | South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville, KY |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 350 cfs to 900 cfs |
| Low threshold | 350 cfs |
| High threshold | 900 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 South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville |
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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 band350-900 cfs / 4.8-6.0 ft
KDFWR rates South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville as Low below 350 cfs or 4.8 ft, Good from 350 to 900 cfs or 4.8 to 6.0 ft, and High above 900 cfs or 6.0 ft.
- Chained public route segmentRocky Branch Road Access to Fish Creek Boat Ramp, 26.9 miles
KDFWR lists Rocky Branch Road Access to Cedar Valley Road Access as 2.5 miles, Cedar Valley Road Access to Bishop Bend School Road Access as 4.7 miles, Bishop Bend School Road Access to Hacker Branch Road Access as 3.3 miles, Hacker Branch Road Access to Upper Wolf Creek Ramp as 2.9 miles, Upper Wolf Creek Ramp to Kay Wood Road Access as 5.6 miles, and Kay Wood Road Access to Fish Creek Boat Ramp as 7.9 miles, supporting a 26.9-mile public Rocky-Branch-to-Fish-Creek float on the same access chain.
- Put-in accessRocky Branch Road Access, 37.3206, -83.6648
KDFWR identifies Rocky Branch Road Access as a free carry-down-only access with unpaved parking and no camping.
- Take-out accessFish Creek Boat Ramp, 37.4906, -83.6894
KDFWR identifies Fish Creek Boat Ramp as a free single-lane paved ramp with gravel parking and no listed camping or amenities.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-13USGS 03281500 at 994 cfs / 6.15 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 characterBroad river, rock bars, occasional riffles
KDFWR describes the South Fork Kentucky River as relatively broad with shallow to medium depths, mud banks, rock bars, and occasional riffles.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on South Fork Kentucky River
All 2Nearby routes within 75 miles
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