French Creek (Allegheny River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids French Creek |
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Near the mouth at Franklin
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Location of the mouth of French Creek in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York, Pennsylvania |
| County | Chautauqua County, New York, and Erie, Crawford, Mercer, and Venango counties in Pennsylvania |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | North Harmony State Forest near French Creek, New York, Chautauqua County, New York 1,737 ft (529 m) 42°06′14″N 79°31′52″W / 42.10389°N 79.53111°W |
| River mouth | Allegheny River Franklin, Pennsylvania 961 ft (293 m) 41°23′30″N 79°49′13″W / 41.39167°N 79.82028°W |
| Length | 117 mi (188 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,270 sq mi (3,300 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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French Creek is a stream that flows into the Allegheny River. It is located in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. Sometimes it is also called the Venango River.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of French Creek
This waterway has been known as both a river and a creek. Its original name, in nungash, came from the Seneca language, spoken by the Seneca people. Over time, this name changed to Venango.
Meanings of Venango
The word in nungash might have come from Onenga, which is the Seneca word for a small animal called a mink. It could also be from Winingus, the word for mink in the Delaware language. Some people think Venango means "crooked." A Seneca chief named Cornplanter once said that in nungash referred to a special carving on a tree along the stream. The name Venango was also used for a native village located where the creek meets the Allegheny River. This village later became the town of Franklin, Pennsylvania.
How French Creek Got Its Name
In the 1700s, French Creek was a very important route. It connected the Great Lakes to the Ohio River. The French built forts like Fort Presque Isle and Fort Le Boeuf to control this important path. They called the stream Rivière aux Boeufs, which means "Cattle River." This was because they saw bison in the area, which reminded them of their cattle back home.
In 1753, George Washington, who was working for the British at the time, visited Fort Le Boeuf. He was there to tell the French to leave the area. Washington called the stream French Creek instead of "Beef Creek," which was another common translation of the French name. His name for the stream, French Creek, is the one that is still used today.
Where French Creek Flows
French Creek starts its journey near French Creek, New York. It flows for about 117 miles (188 km) before joining the Allegheny River in Franklin, Pennsylvania.
The Creek's Drainage Area
The area of land that drains water into French Creek is called its drainage basin. This basin covers about 1,270 square miles (3,300 km2). It includes parts of several counties in Pennsylvania: Erie, Crawford, Venango, and Mercer. It also includes Chautauqua County in New York.
Towns Along the Creek
Many towns and cities are located along the main path of French Creek. These include Mill Village, Wattsburg, Cambridge Springs, Venango, Saegertown, Meadville, Cochranton, Utica, Sugarcreek, and Franklin. All of these towns are in Pennsylvania.
Wildlife and Water Quality
French Creek is home to an amazing variety of living things. More than 80 different kinds of fish live here. You can also find 26 types of freshwater mussels. This makes French Creek one of the most biologically diverse streams in the northeastern United States.
Protecting the Creek's Health
Since the 1990s, people have been concerned about the quality of the water in French Creek. Improvements to sewage treatment plants in towns like Meadville, Cambridge Springs, and Saegertown have helped. These changes have reduced the amount of chlorine and other chemicals flowing into the stream.
However, there are still challenges. Water running off farms and highways can carry pollution. Broken septic systems, erosion, and sedimentation (when dirt settles in the water) also cause problems. Invasive species (plants or animals that don't belong there) and damaged riparian zones (the areas along the creek banks) are also issues.
The French Creek Project
To help protect the creek, the French Creek Project was started in 1995. This group organizes fun events like music festivals and ecology tours. They also teach classes about the watershed to help the public learn more. In 2003, French Creek received the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources award for River of the Year. This award recognized its importance and the efforts to protect it.
