See all 3 routes on French Creek
Pennsylvania | French Creek Upper Water Trail
French CreekUnion City Dam to Routes 6N/19
An official upper French Creek Water Trail reach beginning at the below-dam Union City access and continuing to the public access near the US Routes 6N/19 junction, with a remote forested corridor and approximately twelve miles of paddling.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A remote upper French Creek day paddle with a dam-exclusion launch, narrow channel, possible strainers, and a long downstream shuttle.
Access map
Put-in
Union City Dam below-dam accessThe Union City Dam is not passable; launch only at the mapped below-dam access.
Take-out
Routes 6N/19 accessThe PFBC map notes gravel-road carry access and parking rules; verify current conditions before launching.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- The Union City Dam is not passable; launch only at the mapped below-dam access.
- The PFBC map notes gravel-road carry access and parking rules; verify current conditions before launching.
- Use only the named Routes 6N/19 access and respect private property and posted restrictions.
Watch for
- Union City Dam structure and restricted upstream area
- Downed trees and strainers in narrow upper channel
- Shallow riffles below 2 ft
- Cold water and sudden rain
- Private banks and bridge abutments
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
French Creek near Union City, PA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | French Creek near Union City, 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 |
| Preferred range | 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 accessUnion City Dam below-dam access to Routes 6N/19 access
The PFBC upper water-trail map names the below-dam launch, the Routes 6N/19 access, and approximately twelve miles of downstream trail context.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 03021520 near Union City
The station is the direct French Creek gauge for the upper Union City corridor.
- 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.
- Dam and strainer hazardsUnion City Dam not passable; scout upper-creek strainers
The PFBC map marks the dam as not passable and warns that upper French Creek is susceptible to downed trees and changing strainers.
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
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Reports
Paddler reports
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
French Creek paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Union City Dam to Routes 6N/19 route on the French Creek?
Paddle Today watches French Creek near Union City, 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 the Union City Dam to Routes 6N/19 route on the French Creek start and end?
This route starts at Union City Dam below-dam access and ends at Routes 6N/19 access, about 12 mi on the water.
Is the Union City Dam to Routes 6N/19 route on the French Creek suitable 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.
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