Water level
354.79ft above sea level
+0.23 ft in 7 daysOct 12Oct 19Oct 26
Sep 26Oct 11Oct 26
Reading from Oct 26, 2026.
Lake Barkley was at 354.79 ft on October 26, rising 0.23 ft over the past week.
KentuckyReservoir, 49,741 acres
Lake Barkley conditions today
Right now on Barkley
loading
Best window
0pm to 0pm
score
Wind
00kt
Gusts 00
Direction
NE
Blowing from
Air temp
00°F
High
Rain
Dry%
next 6 hours
Water level
354.79ft
Up 0.23 ft this week
Sailing
CheckingReading the forecast
Kayak and SUP
CheckingReading the forecast
Power boating
CheckingReading the forecast
Fishing
CheckingReading the forecast
Hour by hour
Next 24 hours
Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.
Outlook. Monday: SW wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 76°F. Tuesday: SSE wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 76°F.
7-day wind forecastLive radar
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LightHeavy
Last hour of NOAA MRMS radar, 1 km resolution. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap.
Lake facts
- Type
- Reservoir
- State
- Kentucky
- Surface area
- 49,741 acres
- Dam completed
- 1947
- Level source
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Barkley L/D, KY (Lake)
- Coordinates
- 37.0208° N, 88.2228° W
Background reading: Lake Barkley on Wikipedia
About Lake Barkley
Lake Barkley covers about 49,741 acres in Kentucky and is classed as a reservoir. The reservoir dates to 1947.
Water level on this page comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Lake Barkley L/D, KY (Lake), published through the Corps' CWMS data service. Wind, gusts and rain come from the National Weather Service forecast grid that covers the water.
With this much open water, waves build quickly when the wind lines up with the long axis of the lake. Pick a launch on the upwind shore on breezy days and the ride home is easier. Reservoir levels move with releases and inflow, so ramps and beaches can change week to week. The water level page tracks that day by day.
The go or no-go calls above are a starting point, not a guarantee. Read how we score conditions, and always check local rules and posted warnings before you launch.
Lake Barkley questions
Is it windy on Lake Barkley today?
The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: SW wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 76°F. The panel at the top of this page refreshes the current wind, gusts and direction when you open it and turns them into a call for sailing, paddling, power boating and fishing.
What is the water level at Lake Barkley right now?
Lake Barkley was at 354.79 ft on October 26, rising 0.23 ft over the past week.
How big is Lake Barkley?
Lake Barkley covers about 49,741 acres (78 square miles) of surface water.
When was Lake Barkley built?
The dam that forms Lake Barkley was completed in 1947.
Nearby lakes
If Barkley is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their conditions.