See all 3 routes on French Creek
Pennsylvania | French Creek Upper Water Trail
French Creek
Union City Dam to Routes 6N/19
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.
Loading today's forecast.
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 remote upper French Creek day paddle with a dam-exclusion launch, narrow channel, possible strainers, and a long downstream shuttle.
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
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.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
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
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 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 |
| 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 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
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.
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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 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 this French Creek route start and end?
This route starts at Union City Dam below-dam access and ends at Routes 6N/19 access, about About 12 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
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.