South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville
Kentucky — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Owsley County, Kentucky on the South Fork Kentucky River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 03281500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
38 ft
Moderate Flood
32 ft
Minor Flood
27 ft
Action Stage
21.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
44.33 ft
Flooding will exceed the highest flood on record. Town is completely cut off.
35 ft
Water enters the basement of a home off of Highway 30 on the right bank of the river.
27 ft
Low lying areas flood. The bridge at Upper Wolf Creek Road, Shephards Lane, and the east end of Applegate Road at Buck Creek are impassable.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2021 | 44.33 ft | 62,700 cfs |
| Mar 1, 2021 | 44.33 ft | 62,700 cfs |
| Jan 29, 1957 | 43.4 ft | 66,100 cfs |
| Jan 29, 1957 | 43.4 ft | 66,100 cfs |
| Feb 16, 2025 | 42.76 ft | 56,369 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BOOK2
River
South Fork Kentucky River
County
Owsley, KY
Coordinates
37.4798°N, 83.6733°W
Get Flood Alerts for South Fork Kentucky River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville?
The South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03281500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville?
The NWS-defined flood stage for South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville is 27 feet. Action stage begins at 21.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 32 feet, and major flooding at 38 feet.
How do I get alerts when South Fork Kentucky River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville gauge located?
The gauge is located in Owsley County, Kentucky at coordinates 37.4798°N, 83.6733°W. USGS site number: 03281500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey