French Creek (Allegheny River)
Encyclopedia
French Creek is a tributary
of the Allegheny River
in northwestern Pennsylvania
and western New York
in the United States.
It was known to Native Americans
of the region as Onenge, meaning Otter. This was corrupted into English as the Venango River. A settlement at its mouth was likewise called Venango, and is the site of present-day Franklin, Pennsylvania. In the 18th century, the stream was an important link between the Great Lakes
and the Ohio River
. The French built Fort Presque Isle
and Fort Le Boeuf
to control the portage
from the stream's headwaters to Lake Erie
. They called the stream Rivière aux Boeufs (Meaning River with Buffalo). George Washington
was sent to deliver a message to these forts in 1753. Not knowing the stream's name, he gave it the present name of French Creek because of the nearby French forts. http://www.crawfordcopa.com/history/FrenchCk.html
, and extends for a length of 117 miles (188 km) with a drainage area of 1,270 square miles (3,289 km²). It joins the Allegheny River near Franklin, Pennsylvania. The watershed area includes parts of Erie
, Crawford
, Venango
, and Mercer
counties in Pennsylvania as well as Chautauqua County
in New York.
French Creek is considered one of the most biologically diverse streams east of the Mississippi River
providing habitat to over 80 species of fish and 26 species of freshwater mussels. Environmental concerns have been raised in recent years. One major contaminant is chlorine
from municipal sewage plants along the water course. A new wastewater treatment plant was recently constructed in Meadville
, Pennsylvania to lessen the impact of this contaminant to the creek’s wildlife. Agricultural runoff is also an issue, especially in the lower reaches.
Cities and towns along its course include:
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
in northwestern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and western New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States.
Etymology
The term Creek is somewhat of a misnomer, as it is generally considered to be a river, which is reflected in earlier names for the stream.It was known to Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
of the region as Onenge, meaning Otter. This was corrupted into English as the Venango River. A settlement at its mouth was likewise called Venango, and is the site of present-day Franklin, Pennsylvania. In the 18th century, the stream was an important link between the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
and the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. The French built Fort Presque Isle
Fort Presque Isle
Fort Presque Isle was a fort built by French soldiers in 1753 along Presque Isle Bay at present-day Erie, Pennsylvania...
and Fort Le Boeuf
Fort Le Boeuf
Fort Le Boeuf, , was a fort established by the French in 1753 on a fork of French Creek, in present-day Waterford, in northwest Pennsylvania...
to control the portage
Portage
Portage or portaging refers to the practice of carrying watercraft or cargo over land to avoid river obstacles, or between two bodies of water. A place where this carrying occurs is also called a portage; a person doing the carrying is called a porter.The English word portage is derived from the...
from the stream's headwaters to Lake Erie
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America, and the tenth largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has the shortest average water residence time. It is bounded on the north by the...
. They called the stream Rivière aux Boeufs (Meaning River with Buffalo). George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
was sent to deliver a message to these forts in 1753. Not knowing the stream's name, he gave it the present name of French Creek because of the nearby French forts. http://www.crawfordcopa.com/history/FrenchCk.html
Course
It is formed near French Creek, New YorkFrench Creek, New York
French Creek is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 935 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the stream flowing through it.The Town of French Creek lies in the southwest corner of Chautauqua County....
, and extends for a length of 117 miles (188 km) with a drainage area of 1,270 square miles (3,289 km²). It joins the Allegheny River near Franklin, Pennsylvania. The watershed area includes parts of Erie
Erie County, Pennsylvania
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :...
, Crawford
Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...
, Venango
Venango County, Pennsylvania
Venango County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,984. Its county seat is Franklin.-History:Venango County was created on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming Counties...
, and Mercer
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city....
counties in Pennsylvania as well as Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County, New York
-Major highways:* Interstate 86/New York State Route 17 * Interstate 90 * U.S. Route 20* U.S. Route 62* New York State Route 5* New York State Route 39* New York State Route 60* New York State Route 394...
in New York.
French Creek is considered one of the most biologically diverse streams east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
providing habitat to over 80 species of fish and 26 species of freshwater mussels. Environmental concerns have been raised in recent years. One major contaminant is chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
from municipal sewage plants along the water course. A new wastewater treatment plant was recently constructed in Meadville
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
, Pennsylvania to lessen the impact of this contaminant to the creek’s wildlife. Agricultural runoff is also an issue, especially in the lower reaches.
Cities and towns along its course include:
- Cambridge Springs, PennsylvaniaCambridge Springs, PennsylvaniaCambridge Springs is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,363 at the 2000 census.- History :The village of Cambridge was settled in 1822 and was named for the town of Cambridge, Massachusetts...
- Venango, PennsylvaniaVenango, PennsylvaniaVenango is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 288 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Venango is located at ....
- Saegertown, PennsylvaniaSaegertown, PennsylvaniaSaegertown is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,071 at the 2000 census. It was established in 1824.-Geography:Saegertown is located at ....
- Meadville, PennsylvaniaMeadville, PennsylvaniaMeadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
- Cochranton, PennsylvaniaCochranton, PennsylvaniaCochranton is a borough in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was recorded as 1,148 in the 2000 census.-Geography:Cochranton is located at ....
- Utica, PennsylvaniaUtica, PennsylvaniaUtica is a borough in Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 211 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Utica is located at ....
- Franklin, Pennsylvania
- Wattsburg, PennsylvaniaWattsburg, PennsylvaniaWattsburg is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 378 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area.Wattsburg is along the banks of French Creek ....
See also
- List of rivers of New York
- List of rivers of Pennsylvania
- List of tributaries of the Allegheny River