Beech Fork River
4.5) Rubble Dam at 31E Bridge (PnP)(Bardstown Boaters Whitewater Park)
| Difficulty | III+ |
| Length | 0.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 6 fpm |
| Gauge | Beech Fork at Bardstown, Ky |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 48 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 9, 2025 |
River Description
An extremely winding river, Beech Fork is runnable from November to early June. Treelined and having mud banks of varying steepness while flowing over a mud bottom, the Beech Fork snakes through modest knobs, past distilleries, and on to the broad, gently rolling farm plains of Boston. Other hazards to navigation include numerous brush islands, deadfall, and some logjams.
Currently the Bardstown Boaters are working with the City of Bardstown on getting a whitewater feature created at the rubble dam of the Beech Fork. You can learn more about this effort at the Whitewater Park Section of the Bardstown Boaters website.
More photos and video: https://goo.gl/photos/nwGVNvW5GePb2ZpT9
River Features
Bardstown Boaters Whitewater Park
A collapsed boulder dam one-quarter mile past the US 31E bridge constitutes a Class III+ run with an overall drop of five feet. This rapid can be safely run but changes incredibly with varying water levels and should always be scouted. The rapid is dominated by a vault-sized boulder right in the middle of the river at the bottom of a four-foot drop. To its left (as you look downstream) is a mean hole, particularly at higher water levels. When the water is up there is a nice route on the far left, otherwise, choose your own poison or carry around.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe new situation at the rubble dam on the Beech Fork in Bardstown, Kentucky. Hopes are that with some water this feature will create a play wave to create the Bardstown Boaters Park, Kentucky's first whitewater park.
The new situation at the rubble dam on the Beech Fork in Bardstown, Kentucky. Hopes are that with some water this feature will create a play wave to create the Bardstown Boaters Park, Kentucky's first whitewater park.
The new situation at the rubble dam on the Beech Fork in Bardstown, Kentucky. Hopes are that with some water this feature will create a play wave to create the Bardstown Boaters Park, Kentucky's first whitewater park.
Low water composite of the dam on the Beech Fork.
If only it weren't so rocky, maybe this could be a
good rapid.
Camping trip.