North Fork Kentucky River at Whitesburg, KY
River level and flood forecast · Letcher County
Normal2.1 ftas of Mon 4:30 PM
The river is 7.9 ft below flood stage (10 ft).
Flow: 80 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 7 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 14 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 12 ft |
| Flood stage | 10 ft |
| Action stage | 8 ft |
| Record crest (July 28, 2022) | 22.03 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 15.9 ftFlooding will exceed highest stage on record.
- 15 ftKy 15 bridge and the gage flood.
- 14 ftBusinesses begin to flood.
- 12 ftHomes along the river begin to flood.
- 10 ftLow lying areas flood.
Highest crests on record
- 22.03 ft — July 28, 2022
- 12.81 ft — February 16, 2025
- 11.15 ft — March 28, 2021
- 10.07 ft — March 1, 2021
- 9.54 ft — February 16, 2003
Recent crests: 12.81 ft (February 16, 2025) · 22.03 ft (July 28, 2022) · 11.15 ft (March 28, 2021) · 10.07 ft (March 1, 2021) · 9.54 ft (February 16, 2003)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (WHTK2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.