Red River At Clay City, Ky: river conditions

USGS gauge 03283500 · near Clay City, KY

NWS forecast for this spot

Numbers are provisional real-time data. We don't rate rivers as safe or unsafe. Check local conditions, posted signs and official advisories (NWS warnings, park and dam-release notices) before you launch.

Kayak types for this river

We don't have verified river-class or character data for this stretch, so this is based only on USGS flow. Typical flow is about 169 cfs (median of daily medians, USGS daily statistics 1931–2024). In spring the 90th-percentile flow reaches about 9.8× that, so boats made for calm water (recreational sit-inside, inflatable, foldable, tandem) aren't suited at typical high spring flows; sit-on-top, fishing and touring kayaks handle moving water better (REI kayak guide).

• Sit-on-top: Pelican Bandit 100NXT (max 300 lb)
• Fishing: Eddyline Sandpiper 130 (max 390 lb)
• Touring: Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140 with Rudder (max 325 lb)

Check today's conditions for your kayak
Flow, wind, water temperature, flood stage and NWS alerts

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Documented hazards near this gauge

Dams on this river within 5 miles of the gauge, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams (updated 2026-10-23):

• Beech Fork Branch Dam (NID KY01067, 51 ft high, 2.2 mi from the gauge) · Map

Tip: Portage around dams. Low-head dams can form a recirculating current at the base that is hard to see from upstream and hard to escape; rescuers should throw a line from shore rather than approach by boat (Ohio DNR; Indiana DNR).

When flow is high: above the 90th percentile for the date or near NWS flood stage, expect more floating debris and strainers (downed trees that let water through but trap people and boats). Steer well clear of them (PA Fish and Boat Commission). Today's check flags this.

Wildlife

No documented records of the wildlife we track (bears, moose, bison, alligators, cottonmouths) within 25 km in openly licensed GBIF data.

Water quality

We don't yet have harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories for this spot. Check the Kentucky HAB or beach advisory program before contact with the water, and keep pets out of discolored or scummy water (EPA harmful algal blooms).

Cold water

Kentucky paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers

Float time estimator
How long a stretch of river might take

Cold water and life jacket guide
From NWS and Coast Guard guidance

Data: USGS (provisional, real-time; percentiles from USGS daily statistics 1931–2024) · Forecast: NOAA/NWS.