| Discharge | Kentucky Dam | Barkley Dam |
| 0 - 15,000 cfs | Very Low | Low |
| 15,000-30,000 | Low | Average |
| 30,000-65,000 | Average | Above Average |
| 65,000-100,000 | Above Average | Strong |
| 100,000-200,000 | Strong | Very Strong |
| 200,000-300,000 | Very Strong | Powerful |
| 300,000-500,000 | Powerful | Very Powerful |
| Over 500,000 | Very Powerful | (Highly Unlikely) |