Kentucky / Ohio River /

Blackburn

Boat ramp · on Ohio River · near Blackburn · Kentucky

Zebra mussels

Zebra mussels (latest report 2008) reported in Ohio River 960 m from this launch (USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database). Clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer and gear before you leave, and do not move water, plants or live bait to another water.

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database · checked October 18, 2026

Status not reported No closure has been posted for this launch, but its agency does not publish open or closed status. Check with the managing agency before you tow.

At the launch

Type
Boat ramp
Fee
Free
Ramp lanes
1
Ramp surface
Paved
Car parking
Up to 25 vehicles
Hours
Year-round, all hours
Website
app.fw.ky.gov
Coordinates
37.69683, -88.12182

Directions (Google) Apple Maps

Channel depths in feet from the Army Corps' surveys (Louisville District; the one nearest this launch is of May 18, 2026). Not for navigation.

Conditions

Water level

Latest reading loads here; without it, see the USGS page below.

USGS gauge OHIO RIVER AT OLD SHAWNEETOWN, IL-KY, 0.7 mi from this launch on Ohio River: water level, a reading every 15 minutes. Readings and history at USGS.

On the river

River mile 857.4 on Ohio River · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Mile Markers, placed between its mile markers

Sources: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Mile Markers.

Channel survey

The Army Corps surveys the channels it maintains and posts every survey.

  • Smithland Pool Ohio River
    Condition survey of May 18, 2026 by the Louisville District. Soundings on the sheet down to 59.9 ft, with bars at or above it; the Corps maintains a 9 ft channel here. Survey sheet (PDF)

US Army Corps of Engineers hydrographic surveys, from eHydro. A survey shows the bottom on the day it was made; channels shoal after high water and change with dredging. Not for navigation.

On Ohio River

River in Kentucky. All launches on Ohio River.

Community

Where people who use Ohio River talk about it.

Nearby launches

Sources

Why it is listed as public: listed by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Fishing and Boating Access Sites. Something wrong, or is this launch private? Send a correction; it goes to a person.