Kentucky River Pool 4 — Lee's Ramp to Benson Creek (Frankfort): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 6:30 AM UTC
No runnable range yet
We don’t have a runnable range for this section yet — many of these are calm or dam-controlled reaches. Here’s the current gauge reading; check it (and, for tailwaters, the dam’s generation schedule) before you go.
Estimated range
1,470 cfs
7.4 ft gauge height
USGS gauge 03287500
What this means today
There is no published runnable range for this reach, so we won't grade the reading against one. What we can show is what the gauge itself is doing.
Daily average flow — a different measurement from the gauge height this reach is graded on — has run between 2,050 cfs and 7,660 cfs, 73% lower at the end of the week than the start.
Paddling Kentucky River Pool 4 — Lee's Ramp to Benson Creek (Frankfort)
Kentucky River at Kentucky River Pool 4 — Lee's Ramp to Benson Creek (Frankfort) is a 4-mile Flatwater float in Kentucky — no rapids under normal flows, just moving water and the odd riffle. Most paddlers put in at Lee's Ramp and take out at Benson Creek Boat Ramp, Frankfort, a trip that runs about 2 hours at a relaxed pace.
We track USGS gauge 03287500 for this reach, but there isn't a published runnable range for it yet, so we won't invent a firm number. Use the live reading and 7-day trend above to see whether the Kentucky River is rising or falling, and check with a local outfitter or paddling club before you commit to a launch.
Flows here are usually most dependable April–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
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Flatwater
- Length
- 4 mi
- Float time
- ~2 hr
- Best months
- April–October
- Put-in
- Lee's Ramp
- Take-out
- Benson Creek Boat Ramp, Frankfort
Reading USGS gauge 03287500 — KENTUCKY RIVER AT LOCK 4 AT FRANKFORT, KY ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Kentucky River Pool 4 — Lee's Ramp to Benson Creek (Frankfort)?
- We don't yet have a published runnable range for this section, so we can't give a firm number. Check the live USGS gauge and ask a local outfitter before you go.
- How do I check Kentucky River levels?
- We read USGS gauge 03287500 — 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 Kentucky River Pool 4 — Lee's Ramp to Benson Creek (Frankfort) good for beginners?
- This is a flatwater section — no rapids under normal levels — so it's beginner-friendly when the gauge is in range. High water changes everything: cold, fast water is dangerous for anyone.
- When is the best time to paddle Kentucky River here?
- Typically April–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 Kentucky River Pool 4 — Lee's Ramp to Benson Creek (Frankfort)?
- This reach is about 4 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.