What water level is good for paddling Floyds Fork — North Beckley to Cane Run?

This section is generally runnable at 35–500 cfs. Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Floyds Fork levels?

We read USGS gauge 03298000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Floyds Fork — North Beckley to Cane Run good for beginners?

This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Floyds Fork here?

Typically March–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Floyds Fork — North Beckley to Cane Run?

This reach is about 11 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Floyds Fork — North Beckley to Cane Run: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I11 mi · ~5 hrFloyds ForkKentucky

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 6:20 PM UTC

Too low to paddle

Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.

28 cfs

0.9 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 03298000

Runnable 35 – 500 cfs

035500593

What this means today

At 28 cfs Floyds Fork is 8 cfs short of the 35 cfs this reach needs to float — that is the gap between today's reading and the bottom of the runnable range, not a small margin you can paddle through.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 34 cfs to 28 cfs, 18% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 34 cfs and 144 cfs, 58% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling North Beckley to Cane Run

Floyds Fork at North Beckley to Cane Run is a 11-mile Class I run in Kentucky — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at North Beckley Paddling Access, Beckley Creek Park and take out at Cane Run Paddling Access, a trip that runs about 5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 35–500 cfs. Much below that and Floyds Fork gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 03298000 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable March–October. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: 11 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: March–October
Put-in: North Beckley Paddling Access, Beckley Creek Park
Take-out: Cane Run Paddling Access

Reading USGS gauge 03298000 — FLOYDS FORK AT FISHERVILLE, KY ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Floyds Fork — North Beckley to Cane Run?: This section is generally runnable at 35–500 cfs. Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Floyds Fork levels?: We read USGS gauge 03298000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Floyds Fork — North Beckley to Cane Run good for beginners?: This section is rated Class I. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Floyds Fork here?: Typically March–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Floyds Fork — North Beckley to Cane Run?: This reach is about 11 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

No reading