Kentucky Water Temperatures
Current lake & river temperatures in Kentucky — updated daily from USGS sensors.
Kentucky — Ranked by Temperature
65 with data| # | Water Body | °F | °C | Condition | 🏊 | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose, Ky Lake | 79.3° | 26.3° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 22 |
| 2 | Green River At Greensburg, Ky River | 77.7° | 25.4° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 3 | Pond Creek Near Louisville, Ky River | 76.3° | 24.6° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 4 | Russell Creek Near Columbia, Ky River | 74.5° | 23.6° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 5 | Kentucky River At Lock 2 At Lockport, Ky River | 74.1° | 23.4° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 6 | Floyds Fork Near Mt Washington, Ky Lake | 74.1° | 23.4° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 7 | South Elkhorn Creek At Fort Spring, Ky River | 73.9° | 23.3° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jul 12 |
| 8 | Kentucky River At Lock 4 At Frankfort, Ky River | 73.8° | 23.2° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 9 | Pond Creek At Pendleton Road Near Louisville, Ky River | 73.6° | 23.1° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 10 | Floyds Fork At Fisherville, Ky Lake | 73.4° | 23° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 11 | Elkhorn Creek Near Frankfort, Ky River | 73.4° | 23° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 12 | Mud Lick Cr At Hwy 42 Nr Beaverlick, Ky Lake | 73.4° | 23° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Sep 29 |
| 13 | Barren River Near Finney, Ky River | 72.5° | 22.5° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 4 |
| 14 | Cumberland River Near Grand Rivers, Ky River | 72.1° | 22.3° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Sep 29 |
| 15 | Green River At Lock 1 At Spottsville, Ky River | 72° | 22.2° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | May 26 |
| 16 | Green River Near Campbellsville, Ky River | 71.8° | 22.1° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 17 | Chenoweth Run At Gelhaus Lane Near Fern Creek, Ky River | 71.4° | 21.9° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 18 | Floyds Fork Near Pewee Valley, Ky Lake | 70.7° | 21.5° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 19 | Northern Ditch At Okolona, Ky Lake | 70.5° | 21.4° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 20 | M Fk Beargrass Cr At Lexington Rd At Louisville,Ky Lake | 70.3° | 21.3° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 21 | M Fk Beargrass At Old Cannons Ln At Louisville, Ky Lake | 70.3° | 21.3° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 22 | Beargrass Creek At Brownsboro Rd Nr Louisville, Ky River | 70° | 21.1° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 23 | Beargrass Creek At River Road At Louisville, Ky River | 70° | 21.1° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 24 | Fern Creek At Old Bardstown Rd At Louisville, Ky River | 69.6° | 20.9° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 25 |
| 25 | South Fork Beargrass Creek At Louisville, Ky River | 69.3° | 20.7° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
More Kentucky Resources
❓ Kentucky Water Temperature FAQ
What is the warmest lake in Kentucky today?
Based on our latest USGS data, N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose, Ky is currently the warmest water body in Kentucky at 79.3°F.
Which Kentucky lakes are good for swimming right now?
Lakes with water temperatures above 72°F are generally comfortable for swimming. Currently, Kentucky's average water temperature is 66.5°F — check individual lakes above for specific conditions.
What is the best water temperature for fishing in Kentucky?
The optimal temperature range depends on your target species. For bass fishing, look for water bodies between 65–75°F. For trout, target the coldest water bodies in Kentucky — typically 50–65°F. Use the table above to identify which lakes are in the ideal range for your target species.
🔬 Data Methodology & Sources
Water temperature readings on this site are collected from USGS (United States Geological Survey) monitoring stations installed at lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the country. Sensors measure water surface temperature in Celsius, which is converted to Fahrenheit for display. Data is retrieved and stored daily. Temperatures shown reflect the most recent available sensor reading for each water body, typically from the past 1–30 days depending on station reporting frequency.
⚠️ Water temperatures can vary significantly across a water body due to depth, currents, and time of day. Sensor readings represent conditions at the monitoring station location. Always exercise caution when swimming and consult local authorities for official safety advisories.