See all 9 routes on Tradewater River
Kentucky | Western Kentucky
Tradewater River
Fishtrap Bridge Ramp to Granger Landing Ramp
Check current paddling conditions for this Tradewater River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
Today
Get the answer fast, then scan the route.
Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch at Fishtrap Bridge Ramp and take out at Granger Landing Ramp for a long lower Tradewater day. Because no gauge sits on this exact reach, use the upstream Providence gauge as a conservative same-river check and stand down quickly when flashy weather pushes the river out of band.
Put-in
Fishtrap Bridge RampOpen mapFishtrap is a small bridge landing with minimal parking and no amenities, so settle the vehicle plan before launching.
Take-out
Granger Landing RampOpen mapGranger Landing is an uncomplicated public ramp near Sturgis, yet the lower river still runs past private banks and limited shoreline services. Do not assume open stopping points away from the ramp.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Fishtrap is a small bridge landing with minimal parking and no amenities, so settle the vehicle plan before launching.
- Granger Landing is an uncomplicated public ramp near Sturgis, yet the lower river still runs past private banks and limited shoreline services. Do not assume open stopping points away from the ramp.
- KDFWR limits bank and wade fishing to the public access areas because adjacent property is private. Do not plan on informal bank stops or camping along the route.
- This route effectively combines the official Fishtrap-to-VFW and VFW-to-Granger segments, so it needs a fuller daylight, hydration, and fatigue plan than either shorter float alone.
Watch for
- Flashy post-rain rises, muddy current, fresh wood, and strainers on bends or in braided channels.
- The Providence gauge is upstream of this route, so treat it as a conservative proxy rather than a perfect lower-reach forecast.
- Longer-mileage fatigue, sparse services, slick bridge or ramp exits after storms, and limited legal bailout options.
- Private banks across most of the corridor and the temptation to over-commit just because the river itself is gentle at ordinary flows.
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.
Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Tradewater River near Providence, 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 | 5 cfs to 50 cfs |
| Low threshold | 5 cfs |
| High threshold | 50 cfs |
| Data confidence behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | KDFWR recommended river levels for Tradewater River at Providence used as an upstream proxy |
| 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 chainFishtrap Bridge Ramp to Granger Landing Ramp, about 20.1 mi
KDFWR lists Fishtrap to VFW as 9.5 miles and VFW to Granger as 10.6 miles, supporting a combined public Tradewater route of about 20.1 miles.
- Official level band5-50 cfs / 10-15 ft at Providence
KDFWR rates the Providence gauge low below 5 cfs or 10.0 ft, good from 5.0 to 50.0 cfs or 10.0 to 15.0 ft, and high above 50.0 cfs or 15.0 ft.
- Put-in accessFishtrap Bridge Ramp, 37.3988, -87.9049
KDFWR lists Fishtrap Bridge Ramp as a free carry-down access with published coordinates at the bridge landing.
- Take-out accessGranger Landing Ramp, 37.5463, -88.0189
KDFWR lists Granger Landing Ramp as a free paved public ramp with published coordinates near Sturgis.
- Proxy live gaugeUSGS 03384100 at 195 cfs / 12.50 ft
USGS Water Services returned same-day June 26, 2026 discharge and gage-height values for Tradewater River near Providence during this run. The gauge is upstream of this route and is used conservatively as the closest official same-river signal in KDFWR guidance.
- Route characterFlashy rural river with wood and braided channels
KDFWR describes the Tradewater as a gentle but extremely flashy river with woody debris, braided channels, riffles, runs, and deeper pools along this lower corridor.
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
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Tradewater River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Tradewater River?
Paddle Today watches Tradewater River near Providence, KY and treats 5 cfs to 50 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Tradewater River route start and end?
This route starts at Fishtrap Bridge Ramp and ends at Granger Landing Ramp, about About 20.1 mi on the water.
Is this Tradewater 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.