What water level is good for paddling Upper Green River — Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford?

This section is generally runnable at 150–500 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 Green River levels?

We read USGS gauge 03306000 — 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 Upper Green River — Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford 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 Green 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 Upper Green River — Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford?

This reach is about 12.5 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Upper Green River — Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I12.5 mi · ~6 hrGreen RiverKentucky

Verdict · updated Aug 25, 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.

93.9 ft

USGS gauge 03306000

Runnable 150 – 500 cfs

0150500575

Paddling Upper Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford

Green River at Upper Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford is a 12.5-mile Class I run in Kentucky — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Green River Lake Dam Tailwater Ramp and take out at Roachville Ford Ramp, a trip that runs about 6 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–500 cfs. Much below that and the Green River 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 03306000 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 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

7-day flow trend is unavailable for this gauge right now.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: 12.5 mi
Float time: ~6 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Green River Lake Dam Tailwater Ramp
Take-out: Roachville Ford Ramp

Reading USGS gauge 03306000 — GREEN RIVER NEAR CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Upper Green River — Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford?: This section is generally runnable at 150–500 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 Green River levels?: We read USGS gauge 03306000 — 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 Upper Green River — Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford 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 Green 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 Upper Green River — Tailwater Ramp to Roachville Ford?: This reach is about 12.5 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

No reading