Major Flood
38 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
32 ft
Minor Flood
27 ft
Action Stage
21.5 ft
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
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2021 | 44.33 ft | 62,700 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.
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.
More Gauges on South Fork Kentucky River
On This River
Upstream: South Fork Kentucky River at Oneida
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey