CountiesAllen County
KentuckyReservoirAllen County
Barren River Lake
Barren River Lake covers about 10,100 acres of the Barren River in Kentucky. The lake is in Allen County. It is managed by USACE Louisville District. The latest reading is 552.37 ft, 0.4 ft above the 552.0 ft full pool.
Water level today: 552.37 ft · see the full record
Coordinates36.8931, -86.1250
Surface area10,100 acres
Full pool552.0 ft
RiverBarren River
Managed byUSACE Louisville District
Swimming beaches on Barren River Lake
No named swimming beach is mapped yet for this lake. Access is through agency day-use areas and boat ramps listed below. We add beach pages only when we can confirm a name, coordinates and an operating agency.
Barren River Lake on the map
Lake center, swimming spots and access points.
Weather and water temperature
Air temperature and wind from Open-Meteo. Water temperature only when the lake has a public sensor.
Weather data by Open-Meteo
Water level today
Station 03312900, BARREN RIVER LAKE NEAR FINNEY, KY, publishes the water surface elevation used here. The Corps of Engineers puts the top of the flood pool at 590.0 ft. The conservation pool tops out at 552.0 ft. The last value stored here, 552.37 ft, is from 2026-09-09. The top of the dam sits at 618.0 ft. Check the reading the morning you go if your plan depends on a specific ramp.
552.37 ft trend not available
Visiting Barren River Lake
Its coordinates are 36.8931, -86.1250. Water leaves through the Barren River.
Station 03312900, BARREN RIVER LAKE NEAR FINNEY, KY, publishes the water surface elevation used here. The Corps of Engineers puts the top of the flood pool at 590.0 ft. The conservation pool tops out at 552.0 ft. The last value stored here, 552.37 ft, is from 2026-09-09. The top of the dam sits at 618.0 ft. Check the reading the morning you go if your plan depends on a specific ramp.
If Barren River Lake is busy, the nearest alternatives here are Nolin River Lake (Kentucky, 30 mi), Cordell Hull Lake (Tennessee, 43 mi) and Old Hickory Lake (Tennessee, 44 mi). In all, 18 lakes in Kentucky are covered here.
Most Kentucky day-use areas open for the summer season and close outside it. Inland lakes are not monitored the way ocean beaches are, so posted signs matter more here. Water temperature is not measured at this lake by any public agency we read.
Around Barren River Lake this guide maps 5 public recreation areas. Recreation areas nearby include Port Oliver Recreation Area, Peninsula and Baileys Point. Assume no lifeguard is on duty and keep children within reach.
Recreation areas on Barren River Lake
5 public recreation areas mapped around the lake by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Facilities vary by area; check the managing office for opening dates and fees.
Port Oliver Recreation Area Peninsula Baileys Point The Narrows Barren River Lake State Park
Source: USACE Recreation Areas
Questions about Barren River Lake
Is there a beach at Barren River Lake?
No named swimming beach appears in the federal and state datasets this guide reads. Check the operating agency for day-use areas on the ground.
How big is Barren River Lake?
About 10,100 acres.
What other lakes are near Barren River Lake?
The closest in this guide is Nolin River Lake, about 30 miles away in Kentucky.
Lakes near Barren River Lake
Other lakes in this guide, ordered by distance.
Nolin River Lake
Nolin River Lake covers about 5,795 acres of the Nolin River in Kentucky. USACE Louisville District manages it. The gauge last…
Reservoir
Old Hickory Lake
Fed by the Cumberland River, Old Hickory Lake holds roughly 22,500 acres of water in Tennessee. It lies in Sumner County. It is…
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Dale Hollow Lake
Dale Hollow Lake covers about 30,990 acres of the outflow = in Tennessee. The lake is in Clay County. Management is in the hands…
Reservoir
Green River Lake
Fed by the Green River, Green River Lake holds roughly 8,200 acres of water in Kentucky. Its shoreline falls inside Taylor…
Reservoir
Rough River Lake
Fed by the Rough River, Rough River Lake holds roughly 5,100 acres of water in Kentucky. It lies in Breckinridge County. USACE…
Reservoir1 beach
Center Hill Lake
Fed by the catchment =, Center Hill Lake holds roughly 18,220 acres of water in Tennessee. Management is in the hands of USACE.
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Explore around Kentucky
All lakes in Kentucky Lakes near Portland Lakes near Hartsville/Trousdale County
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from one of these public sources.