Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Levels, Current & Fishing Report
Live water levels, TVA dam discharge (current), a multi-day pool-level forecast, wind, and a plain-English fishing & boating outlook for Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in western Kentucky. Summer pool is 359 feet; winter pool is about 354 feet.
Today's lake levels
Current Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley elevations compared to summer pool, with the 24-hour trend and the TVA River Forecast Center outlook for the next several days.
Generation & current
How much water TVA is releasing through Kentucky Dam and Barkley Dam, in cubic feet per second (cfs), and what that current means for the ledge and channel-edge bite.
Fishing & boating outlook
A daily read on how the level, current, and wind are setting up for bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill — and what the wind means for getting out on the open lake.
Frequently asked questions
What is summer pool on Kentucky Lake?
TVA's normal summer pool for Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley is 359 feet. Winter pool is about 354 feet.
What does dam current or generation mean for fishing?
When TVA generates power, water moves through the dam (measured in cfs). More current generally turns on the ledge and channel bite; little or no current can leave fish scattered.
Where does the data come from?
Levels and forecasts come from NOAA/NWS carrying the TVA River Forecast Center outlook, dam discharge from the USACE, and weather from Open-Meteo. Informational only — not for navigation.