About the Kentucky Wild Rivers Program
Kentucky conserves the unique scenic, fish and wildlife, botanical, geological, cultural and recreational values of its most pristine rivers through the Wild Rivers Program. It was established by the Kentucky Wild Rivers Act of 1972 and is administered by the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves.
Wild Rivers are more than just clean, free-flowing waters in a scenic setting. They serve as refuges for wild plants and animals, as well as havens for those people seeking solitude and tranquility in nature. Their waters provide healthy sport fisheries, cool pools for swimming and white-water rapids for adventurous paddlers. Wild Rivers provide living examples of natural ecological processes for nature study and scientific research. Wild Rivers are also natural museums harboring the relics of prehistoric inhabitants in rock shelters and caves, and preserving the ancient impressions of primitive life in rock strata. The Wild Rivers program protects these special places from unwise use and development.
Specific sections of nine rivers with exceptional quality and aesthetic character have been designated as Kentucky Wild Rivers:
Each Wild River is actually a linear corridor encompassing all visible land on each side of the river up to a distance of 2,000 feet. The nine Wild River corridors comprise a total of 114 river miles and 26,961 acres of land.
More Information on Wild Rivers
The Kentucky Wild Rivers Story Map highlights the unique scenic, biological, geological, cultural and recreational values of its most pristine rivers. The Wild Rivers program was established by the Kentucky Wild Rivers Act of 1972 and is administered by the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW). Portions of nine rivers of exceptional character have been designated as Kentucky Wild Rivers. The Wild Rivers Story Map is currently being updated, please check back to access the story map soon.
Much of the land surrounding the Wild Rivers corridors is privately owned. Please make sure you do not trespass on private property to access a river. While most of the rivers themselves are public waters legally open to canoeing and fishing, please be sure to only access the river from legally designated boat ramps or access points.
Public land on our Wild Rivers includes:
Mammoth Cave National Park
The Red River National Geological Area
The Big South Fork National Recreation Area
The Daniel Boone National Forest
Cumberland Falls State Park
Some activities are strictly prohibited within a Wild River corridor, such as surface mining, clear-cutting of timber and construction of dams or other in-stream disturbances. Existing residential and agricultural uses continue, but developments that might impair the river's water quality or natural condition are regulated through a permit system. If you are a private landowner with property in a Wild Rivers Corridor, please contact the KNP office for more information. If grant funding is available the KNP may purchase land within a Wild Rivers Corridor from willing sellers at appraised value.
These priceless treasures known as Wild Rivers are held in public trust by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for our use and enjoyment, and thanks to the Wild Rivers Act, they will be here for many generations to come.
Research and Group Event Permits
If you are interested in conducting scientific research or proposing a group event on a Wild RIver Corridor, you will first need a permit from KNP. Depending on the corridor, you may also need a permit from other agencies. For a KNP application, please email us at naturepreserves@ky.gov before initiating your project or event.
Land Use and Development Permits
Some types of development or land-use activities are strictly prohibited within Wild Rivers corridors. These include, but are not limited to, surface mining, clearcutting of timber, construction of new roads or bridges (except as needed to effect a permitted change of use) and construction of buildings where none existed previously.
Remove a Resource
Generally, a permit is required to remove a resource such as oil or gas, to selectively harvest timber or to introduce a new agricultural use involving the removal of one-half acre or more of timber. View Wild Rivers regulations at 400 KAR 4:125, which specifies the kinds of land-use changes that require a permit.
Utility Right of Way
Construction of any utility right of way across or within a designated Wild River corridor requires written authorization from the secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet before any construction activity is initiated. View Wild Rivers regulations at 400 KAR 4:125, Section 11 , which details the procedures for applying for such approval.
Change of Land Use
Changes of land use within a designated Wild River corridor require a Change-of-Use permit from the Division of Water. Visit the Division of Water webpage prior to beginning any construction activity to apply for this permit.
Each Change-of-Use permit contains specific standards for protecting water quality, scenic values and other outstanding natural resources within the Wild River corridor. View Regulation 400 KAR 4:140, which contains performance standards and specifications for each type of land-use change.
The process of obtaining a Wild Rivers Change-of-Use permit takes several months from the time a completed application is submitted to DOW. View Wild Rivers regulations at 400 KAR 4:130, which details the procedures for applying for a permit.
Watch Kentucky Wild Rivers: Secrets of Discovery
A 30 minute WKU-PBS special on the Wild Rivers Program from 2016.