Rapid at the former site of the Lock 6 and Dam on the Green River near Brownsville, Kentucky
Length: 4.9 miles
Water Level at Time of Trip: 8.35 feet
Average Moving Speed: 3.3 MPH
Time: 1.5 hours
GENERAL INFORMATION
For those paddling down the Green River within Mammoth Cave National Park, either from Dennison Ferry or Green River Ferry, the Houchin Ferry Canoe Launch is the last chance to exit the river without leaving the park, and most paddling trips do end here. However, Houchin Ferry is a few river miles east of the park’s western boundary, so if you want to cover the entire river within the park, you must continue downriver and exit either at the site of the former Lock 6 and Dam (3.5-mile trip) or the Brownsville Boat Ramp (4.9-mile trip). This paddling review covers the trip to Brownsville.
The Brownsville Boat Ramp is located on the downriver side of the KY 259 bridge. It is a little hard to find when driving. If using Google Maps for directions, search BROWNSVILLE BOAT RAMP. To get to the Lock 6 and Dam, pass over the Green River on the KY 259 bridge and take the first left on Lock Road. This loops around under the bridge and eventually ends at a parking area on the Green River. To tell the truth, I didn’t know about the Lock 6 parking lot at the time, which is why I continued down to Brownsville.
THE FINE PRINT
Before starting a river trip through Mammoth Cave National Park, it is a good idea to check the water levels so you have an idea of the river conditions. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) water level gauge within the park is at the Green River Ferry. This is the gauge used by the National Park Service to assess conditions. There is also a USGS gauge at Brownsville. When referencing these gauges, understand that they only measure water depth at one location and that the actual depth of the river varies from place to place. For example, if the Green River Ferry gauge reads 8 feet, it would seem impossible to get stuck on the bottom because 8 feet is way more water than needed for canoeing and kayaking. However, an 8-foot reading at the Green River Ferry may mean that some areas of the river have only six inches of water. Using this ratio, if the USGS gauge reads 10 feet, then the shallow areas would have two more feet of water, which is plenty for canoeing and kayaking.
I did the trip when water levels were 8.35 feet per the Green River Ferry gauge and 19.98 at the Brownsville gauge. Based on historical data, these two numbers represent extremely low water levels for their locations. However, at these levels there was plenty of water from Houchin Ferry to Brownsville. The catch is that most people aren’t going to do this trip on its own. Most people who paddle to Brownsville start at the Green River Ferry Canoe Launch, which is what I did. At 8.35 feet, I got hung up on two large rocks between there and Houchin Ferry that would not have been a problem at all with slightly more water. Other than this, I didn’t have any problems, but I wouldn’t want to do the trip with much less water, perhaps making 8 feet the absolute minimum for a paddling trip between Green River Ferry and Brownsville (based on the Green River Ferry gauge).
Per the National Park Service, water levels between 9 and 15 feet are suitable for all paddlers. At these levels, the Green River is mainly calm with some choppy water here and there to spice things up a bit, but nothing even first-time paddlers couldn’t handle. Water levels from 15 to 18 feet are for intermediate paddlers, and paddlers should have a lot of experience when levels are between 18 and 20 feet. The canoe launches within the park are closed due to safety concerns when the USGS gauge at the Green River Ferry reports over 20 feet, though this does not keep you from launching upriver at a public launch and paddling through the park. Keep in mind that regardless of water levels, extreme winds can cause turbulent conditions that require advanced skills on water otherwise suited for all paddlers.
RIVER TRIP DETAILS
The Green River west of Houchin Ferry is no different from the river starting at Dennison Ferry. On a typical day, the water is calm and the current is very slow.
Green River between Houchin Ferry and Brownsville, Mammoth Cave National Park
The Nolin River flows into the Green River 1.7 mile from Houchin Ferry. There is often rough water at the confluence of two rivers, but in this case the water was very calm.
Mouth of the Nolin River where it merges with the Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park
Outside the park boundary, 3.5 miles from Houchin Ferry, is the site of the former Lock 6 and Dam. These structures were built between 1904 and 1905, and they remained until being removed in 2017. There is a warning sign prior to the site—DANGER, APPROACHING HAZARD, PORTAGE TO THE RIGHT—but from what I can tell, this sign was left over from when the lock and dam were still in the water. There is nothing to portage around today.
Warning sign before the former Lock 6 and Dam on the Green River near Brownsville
Now in place of the former structures is the only true rapid on the Green River between Dennison Ferry and the Brownsville Boat Ramp. This is also the location of the parking lot at the end of Lock Road, so if you planned to exit here, pull up on the shore prior to the rapid to do so. The parking lot is about 100 yards from the river. You could probably run the rapid and still exit here, but once on the shore you may have to carry your boat back up to the driveway prior to the rapid. In truth, since I didn’t even know there was a parking lot here at the time, I wasn’t thinking about such a thing.
Satellite view of the Lock 6 and Dam site on the Green River
I went through the rapid without thinking twice about it. There are some large boulders that must be avoided, and the water is certainly moving much faster, but I’d be hesitant to call this anything more than a Class I rapid. The National Park Service claims it is a Class II rapid, and this may be the case when the water level is higher. If so, you’ll have to judge for yourself whether to run it or pull over on the shore and carry your boat around it.
Rapid at the former site of the Lock 6 and Dam on the Green River near Brownsville, Kentucky
Rapid at the former site of the Lock 6 and Dam on the Green River near Brownsville, Kentucky
View upriver after running the rapid at the former site of the Lock 6 and Dam on the Green River near Brownsville, Kentucky
The Brownsville Boat Ramp is less than 1.5 mile from the lock and dam. It is on the left just after passing under the KY-259 bridge, the only bridge you will see on the trip.
KY 259 bridge over the Green River in Brownsville, Kentucky
Brownsville Boat Ramp on the Green River in Brownsville, Kentucky
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Last updated on October 5, 2024
