Kentucky Water Temperatures
Current lake & river temperatures in Kentucky — updated daily from USGS sensors.
Kentucky — Ranked by Temperature
66 with data| # | Water Body | °F | °C | Condition | 🏊 | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pond Creek Near Louisville, Ky River | 80.2° | 26.8° | ☀️ Warm | 🏊 Excellent | Jul 27 |
| 2 | Licking River At Hwy 536 Near Alexandria, Ky River | 80.2° | 26.8° | ☀️ Warm | 🏊 Excellent | Jul 27 |
| 3 | Kentucky River At Lock 2 At Lockport, Ky River | 80.1° | 26.7° | ☀️ Warm | 🏊 Excellent | Jul 27 |
| 4 | Elkhorn Creek Near Frankfort, Ky River | 79.7° | 26.5° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 5 | N Elkhorn Cr At Bryan Station Rd At Montrose, Ky Lake | 79.3° | 26.3° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 22 |
| 6 | Green River At Lock 1 At Spottsville, Ky River | 78.6° | 25.9° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 7 | Pond Creek At Pendleton Road Near Louisville, Ky River | 78.4° | 25.8° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 8 | Chenoweth Run At Gelhaus Lane Near Fern Creek, Ky River | 78.3° | 25.7° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 9 | Floyds Fork Near Mt Washington, Ky Lake | 78.1° | 25.6° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 10 | Mill Creek At Orell Road Near Louisville, Ky River | 77.7° | 25.4° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 11 | Floyds Fork At Fisherville, Ky Lake | 77.7° | 25.4° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 12 | Beargrass Creek At Brownsboro Rd Nr Louisville, Ky River | 77.5° | 25.3° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 6 |
| 13 | Russell Creek Near Columbia, Ky River | 77.5° | 25.3° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 14 | Rock Lick Cr At State Hwy 158 Nr Sharkey, Ky Sta D Lake | 76.8° | 24.9° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 15 | Kentucky River At Lock 4 At Frankfort, Ky River | 76.1° | 24.5° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 16 | Martins Fork Near Smith, Ky Lake | 76.1° | 24.5° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 26 |
| 17 | Northern Ditch At Okolona, Ky Lake | 75.7° | 24.3° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 18 | Licking River At Farmers, Ky River | 75.7° | 24.3° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 19 | Penn Run At Mt Washington Rd Nr Louisville, Ky Lake | 75.6° | 24.2° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 20 | M Fk Beargrass Cr At Lexington Rd At Louisville,Ky Lake | 75.2° | 24° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 21 | Brier Creek At Pendelton Road Near Louisville, Ky River | 75.2° | 24° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 22 | Floyds Fork Near Pewee Valley, Ky Lake | 75° | 23.9° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 23 | Cedar Creek At Thixton Road Near Louisville, Ky River | 75° | 23.9° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 24 | M Fk Beargrass At Old Cannons Ln At Louisville, Ky Lake | 75° | 23.9° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
| 25 | Cedar Creek At Hwy 1442 Near Shepherdsville, Ky River | 74.8° | 23.8° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jul 27 |
More Kentucky Resources
❓ Kentucky Water Temperature FAQ
What is the warmest lake in Kentucky today?
Based on our latest USGS data, Pond Creek Near Louisville, Ky is currently the warmest water body in Kentucky at 80.2°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 70.1°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.