Red River — Middle Gorge (KY 715 to KY 77): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 10:15 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
57 cfs
2.8 ft gauge height
USGS gauge 03283500
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 63 cfs and 274 cfs, 77% lower at the end of the week than the start.
Paddling Middle Gorge (KY 715 to KY 77)
Red River at Middle Gorge (KY 715 to KY 77) is a 8-mile Class II run in Kentucky — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at KY 715 bridge (Red River Gorge) and take out at KY 77 bridge (blue steel bridge), a trip that runs about 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace.
We track USGS gauge 03283500 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 Red 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
- Class II
- Length
- 8 mi
- Float time
- ~3.5 hr
- Best months
- April–October
- Put-in
- KY 715 bridge (Red River Gorge)
- Take-out
- KY 77 bridge (blue steel bridge)
Reading USGS gauge 03283500 — RED RIVER AT CLAY CITY, KY ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Red River — Middle Gorge (KY 715 to KY 77)?
- 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 Red River levels?
- We read USGS gauge 03283500 — 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 Red River — Middle Gorge (KY 715 to KY 77) good for beginners?
- This section is rated Class II. 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 Red 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 Red River — Middle Gorge (KY 715 to KY 77)?
- This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.