A. State Route 474
(Pa - NY border) 15.3 miles
to Union City Dam
A. State Route 474 (Pa border) to Union City Dam
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 10/20 Small (92/153) A/A
Wattsburg Wattsburg
Topographic Maps: Wattsburg, Union City, Waterford
Description: Above Wattsburg the creek is narrow and fast flowing with a few good rapids. Strainers can be expected on the curves. Below Wattsburg the creek widens and flattens out, with occasional strainers. This section ends at the dam for the Union City Reservoir. This is a unique member of the Corps of Engineers' Pittsburgh District flood control projects, a dry-bed reservoir. According to the Corps' description, "The dam functions as an uncontrolled detention structure that automatically stores and releases water during periods of peak flow. A 520-foot-long concrete conduit, 4.5 feet wide by 8 feet high, runs through the base of the dam to allow for uncontrolled discharge of waters. The conduit permits normal flows of French Creek to pass through unimpeded. When the amount of water entering the reservoir, however, exceeds the dam's capacity to discharge it through the drainage conduit a temporary lake is formed. If the flow of waters into the lake fills the reservoir to capacity the excess waters are then discharged into a side-channel spillway constructed through the right abutment of the dam. At maximum flood pool Union City Reservoir will extend 7.4 miles up French Creek. As the water inflow decreases, the stored water gradually drains out, and once again the reservoir bed becomes dry. The lake forming process usually occurs during late winter and early spring as a result of melting snow and spring rains. The resulting lake usually lasts only for two or three months." The conduit through the dam and the side-channel spillway are restricted areas which may be marked with floats. Plan to take out on the left-hand shore and walk up the service road to your car. [Reported 1988]
French Creek is considered to be one of Pennsylvania's foremost aquatic treasures. In addition to its 66 species of fish, and 10 species of algae, scientists have identified 25 species of fresh water mussels. This is more than can be found in any other Pennsylvania stream, and includes two mussels that are Federally Endangered. To help protect this vital resource, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has acquired key areas along the stream.
Difficulties: Strainers. Observe the pool level at the float line at the take-out. If the area is mud flats, plan to take out at the Hatch Hollow Road bridge just above this area. The mud in the pool bottom is very soft. It is extremely dangerous to broach against the floats in a moving current that close to the breastworks.
Shuttle: The put-in is where State Route 474 crosses the creek near the state line. To get to the take-out, go south on State Route 474 to Wattsburg, then south on State Route 8 to Union City. Turn right/west onto State Route 97 for about 2.5 miles. Turn right on Hare Road leading to the Union City Dam. If recent decreases in the reservoir level have left mud flats in the area near the dam, then go north from the intersection of Hare and Haugh Roads (near overlook area parking lot) for about 2 miles. Turn right at the "T" on Juva Road, go another 1.5 miles and turn right on Hatch Hollow Road. Continue about .25 miles to the bridge.
Gauges: Wattsburg. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. If the riffle upstream of the State Route 474 bridge is passable then the entire section is runnable.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
B. Union City Dam 27.0 miles
to Cambridge Springs
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
B 4/10 Medium (222/439) A/A 2.3-5.0
Union
City Dam Union City
Topographic Maps: Waterford, Millers Station, Cambridge Springs
County Maps: Erie, Crawford
Description: The stream is straightforward until below the two railroad bridges about 6 miles below US Route 6. Below here the creek has many sharp turns and fallen trees requiring lots of climbing around and over. The course becomes serpentine in a swamp‑like setting until Cambridge Springs. A place of abundant wildlife. [Checked 1997]
Difficulties: Strainers and logs just beneath the muddy water.
Shuttle: The put-in is 2.5 miles west of Union City on State Route 97. Continue west on State Route 97 to US Route 6/19. Turn south to Cambridge Springs. In Cambridge Springs turn west on Poplar Street about 250 yards from bridge, continue to the end and turn left at the fairgrounds.
Gauges: Union City Outlet. This gauge should read between 2.3 and 5.0 feet. This corresponds to a flow of 55 to 1,310 cfs. This gauge is about 1 mile below the dam. If the shallows under the State Route 97 road bridge look passable, then the section is runnable.
Normal Wet Period: The Union City Outlet gauge is above 2.3 feet 75% of the time and above 5.0 feet 7% of the time.
C. Cambridge
Springs to Seagertown 15.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I 2/4 Medium (597/1,064) B/B 2.6-??
Venango Meadville (see note)
Medium (629/1,056) Seagertown
Topographic Maps: Cambridge Springs, Blooming Valley, Meadville
County Maps: Crawford
Description: Parts of the small towns of Cambridge Springs and Seagertown can be seen from French Creek. The stream winds through farming country and is bordered by some summer homes. However, much of the stream passes through uninhabited forest. Camping sites are plentiful and nice, especially on the east bank. Unfortunately, the highway sounds from US Route 6/19 can be heard much of the time. Heron and kingfisher are often seen. [Checked 1989]
Difficulties: At Seagertown, just below the concrete bridge for State Route 198 and above the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission access point, is a 3‑foot low-water bridge, which should be portaged.
Shuttle: To find the put-in turn west onto Poplar Street about 250 yards from the bridge, continue to the end and turn left at the fairgrounds. Follow US Route 6/19 south to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission access area about 0.25 miles south of Seagertown.
Gauges: Meadville on French Creek. This gauge should read above 2.6 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 520 cfs. Note there is also a nearby Meadville gauge on Cussewago Creek. Be sure to get the correct one. There is an outside gauge on the bridge at the intersection of US Route 6/19 and State Route 198 in Seagertown. A level of 4.5 feet was adequate in 1989.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.
D. Seagertown to
Meadville 20.0 miles
to Cochranton
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
B 4/6 Medium (629/1,056) A-B/A 2.6-??
Seagertown Meadville (see note)
Topographic Maps: Meadville, Geneva, Cochranton
County Maps: Crawford
Description: Between Seagertown and Meadville the stream crosses US Route 6/19 twice, but otherwise remains separated from the highway by mixed farmland, marshland, and woods. The stream passes through occasional stretches of cottages follow the stream. Several island complexes offer choices, but no significant difficulty in the major channel. Meadville is an industrial city viewed from the stream, but passes quickly. Below Meadville, French Creek is a wide well defined channel. The railroad and highway maintain their distance. Long sections down to Conneaut Outlet can be found without cottages. The last 3 miles to Cochranton have several stretches of cabins. [Checked 1989]
Difficulties: None.
Shuttle: About 0.25 miles south of Seagertown on US Route 6/19 is a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission put-in. Go south on US Route 6/19 to Meadville and take US Route 322 to Cochranton. Turn right/southwest onto State Route 173 to the take-out about a mile further where the road crosses the creek.
Gauges: Meadville on French Creek. This gauge should read above 2.6 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 520 cfs. Note there is also a nearby Meadville gauge on Cussewago Creek. Be sure and get the correct one. We do not have enough information to report runnable levels on this section. There is an outside gauge on the bridge at the intersection of US Route 6/19 and State Route 198 in Seagertown. A level of 4.5 feet was adequate in 1989.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is medium-sized, it should normally be runnable approximately December through May.
E. Cochranton to
Utica 8.8 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C 3/3 Medium (998/1,722) B-C/B 1.6-5.5
Carlton Utica
Medium
(1,028/1,756) Utica
Topographic Maps: Cochranton, New Lebanon, Utica
County Maps: Crawford, Mercer, Venango
Description: This is mostly flat fast moving water with a few shallows around small islands. There are cottages along the shore. [Checked 1989]
Difficulties: The
first island below Cochranton often has a strainer in the right-hand channel.
Spots to land and camp or picnic are scarce. Most of the shoreline is privately
owned. Avoid the first island below Carlton, but it is possible to camp on the
others. The take‑out in Utica is on river left. It is owned by the
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and has a nice parking area.
Shuttle: Put in under the State Route 173 bridge about 1 mile west of Cochranton. Take State Route 173 northeast about a mile. Turn right/south onto US Route 322. Turn right onto State Route 3017. Go 3 miles to the French Creek Bridge. Intermediate access is available at Carlton, but because of landowner problems you should not use the upstream side of the bridge, nor leave parked cars at this point.
Gauges: Utica. This gauge should read between 1.6 and 5.5 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 179 to 3,850 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The Utica gauge is above 1.6 feet 90% of the time and above 5.5 feet 14% of the time.
F. Utica to
Franklin 7.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
C-I 6/6 Medium (1,028/1,837) B-C/B 1.6-5.5
Utica Utica
Topographic Maps: Utica, Franklin
County Maps: Venango
Description: This one of the largest tributaries of the Allegheny. It offers good current with riffles, walleye fishing, occasional minor rapids on corners, and a few eddies with playing opportunities. [Checked 1999]
Difficulties: At the mouth of Sugar Creek, a long island keeps most of Sugar Creek on the left and most of French Creek on the right. At the lower end of the island, French Creek bends left. Stay in the center to avoid boulders on the right. At high water, this confluence creates 2 to 4‑foot standing waves. Spots to land and camp or picnic are scarce. Most of the shoreline is privately owned.
Shuttle: Put in at the Conservancy Access on river left near the State Route 3017 bridge in Utica. To get to the take-out, go north on State Route 3017. Turn right/south onto US Route 322. Go through Franklin. Go 0.3 miles past the oil refinery, and park on the extra-wide berm 0.1 miles before Foster Corner. Alternatively, one can take-out at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launching ramp on the west bank (river right) of the Allegheny River just below the US Route 322 bridge or at the Samuel Justus Bicycle Trailhead, on the east bank (river left). The bicycle trail head is directly across from French Creek and on the downstream side of the US Route 322 bridge, These take-outs are about 3.0 miles below the Foster Corner take-out, making the trip from Utica 10.0 miles long.
Gauges: Utica. This gauge should read between 1.6 and 5.5 feet (2003 rating table). This corresponds to a flow of 179 to 3,850 cfs.
Normal Wet Period: The Utica gauge is above 1.6 feet 90% of the time and above 5.5 feet 14% of the time.