See all 3 routes on French Creek
Pennsylvania | French Creek Valley
French Creek
Cochranton Borough to Utica
Check current paddling conditions for this French Creek route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A longer lower French Creek Water Trail day paddle with mostly flat water, islands, riffles, and documented dam and rapid hazards.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Cochranton Borough accessUse only the named Cochranton Borough and Utica public accesses.
Take-out
Utica AccessRespect posted permits, launch closures, private property, and temporary maintenance restrictions.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Use only the named Cochranton Borough and Utica public accesses.
- Respect posted permits, launch closures, private property, and temporary maintenance restrictions.
- Scout Saegertown Dam, Mile 19 rapids, and Polly's Rapids; portage whenever passage is uncertain.
Watch for
- Saegertown Dam and possible portage
- Mile 19 and Polly's Rapids
- Strainers, shallow riffles, and gravel bars below 2 ft
- Sudden rain, cold water, and changing current
- Private banks and non-public bridge shoulders
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | French Creek at Utica, PA |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 3.00 ft to 5.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 2.00 ft |
| High threshold | 5.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | French Creek Conservancy Paddling Guide water-level guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route and accessCochranton Borough to Utica Access
The French Creek Paddling Guide names both access points and describes approximately eight miles to Utica with flat water, islands, riffles, and forested views.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 03024000 at Utica
The guide lists the Utica gauge for French Creek water-level checks and the USGS monitoring page provides live gage height.
- Water-level bands3-5 ft ideal; 2-5 ft operating envelope
The official guide says French Creek is ideal between 3 and 5 ft and warns that under 2 ft may be too shallow and above 5 ft too high.
- HazardsSaegertown Dam, Mile 19 rapids, Polly's Rapids, strainers
Scout hazards ahead and portage whenever passage is uncertain.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
French Creek paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling French Creek?
Paddle Today watches French Creek at Utica, PA and treats 3.00 ft to 5.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this French Creek route start and end?
This route starts at Cochranton Borough access and ends at Utica Access, about About 8 mi on the water.
Is this French Creek route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.