A loaded tank barge tow inside a lock chamber at McAlpine Locks and Dam, Louisville
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

How we research

1. Live water data from the agencies that measure it

Lake and river levels come straight from free federal data services:

  • the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CWMS Data API (lake elevation, dam releases and the Taylorsville water temperature)
  • the USGS Water Data API (Ohio River stage and flow at Louisville)
  • the NOAA National Weather Service National Water Prediction Service (gauge readings, flood stages and forecasts)

Our server fetches them and caches the result for up to 30 minutes. Every number shows its source and the time it was measured. Real-time federal data is provisional and can be revised. If a feed fails, we show the last good reading with its time, or a link to the official page. We never fill a gap with a guess.

2. Agency facts first

Ramp seasons, campground details, lake size and pool levels come from the Corps of Engineers. Park status comes from Kentucky State Parks or reliable local news. Ramp details and fishing rules come from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Each guide links its sources at the bottom.

3. Businesses: confirmed to exist, no hours or prices

We list marinas and restaurants we can confirm from their own sites, agencies, or established local sources. We don't publish hours or prices, because they change by season. We label a restaurant "reachable by boat" only when a source shows it has a dock.

4. Drive times are estimates

Drive times are routing estimates from downtown Louisville to the main marina or ramp and are rounded. Your trip may vary.

5. Dates and corrections

Every guide shows when it was last updated. We re-check seasonal facts (marina seasons, park reopenings, ramp closures) before each boating season. Found something out of date? Tell us and include a link to the source.