River stage
Bowling Green, Barren River
- River level
- 4.06 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.10 ft
- Recent high
- 9.69 ft
- Recent low
- 3.27 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS BWGK2
- 30-day change
- -0.30 ft
- Average
- 4.25 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 52.20 ft
In brief
The Barren River at Bowling Green, KY read 4.06 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 21.94 ft below action stage. That is 0.30 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge BWGK2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52.20 ft | 1913-01-08 |
| 2 | 49.55 ft | 1962-03-01 |
| 3 | 46.00 ft | 1937-01-01 |
| 4 | 44.63 ft | 1952-03-24 |
| 5 | 43.69 ft | 2010-05-03 |
| 6 | 42.75 ft | 1975-03-13 |
| 7 | 42.07 ft | 1957-01-30 |
| 8 | 41.67 ft | 1969-06-24 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 23.00 ft
Parks begin to flood. Most of Thomas Landing and Weldon Peete Park flood.
- 30.00 ft
Boat Landing Road is impassable.
- 34.00 ft
Most of Beech Bend Park floods.
- 36.00 ft
Several homes along river begin to flood.
- 43.00 ft
Approaches to KY 185 bridge flood.
- 48.00 ft
Water treatment plant is shut down.
- 53.00 ft
Large sections of the city flood. Travel is impossible in some areas.
- 61.00 ft
Surface of US 68 bridge floods.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Barren River flooding at Bowling Green?
No. The Barren River at Bowling Green is at 4.06 ft, 21.94 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Bowling Green?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 26 ft, minor flooding 28 ft, moderate flooding 32 ft and major flooding 45 ft.
What is the highest the Barren River has been at Bowling Green?
The highest crest on record is 52.2 ft, on 1913-01-08.
Is the Barren River high or low right now at Bowling Green?
At 4.06 ft it is higher than 56% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge BWGK2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03314500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.