French Creek is a tributary of the Allegheny River in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York in the United States. Creek is somewhat of a misnomer, as it is generally considered to be a river, which is reflected in earlier names for the stream. The Allegheny River (historically, especially in New York state, also spelled Allegany River) is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 325 mi (523 km) long, in the U.S. states of New York and Pennsylvania. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Other U.S. States Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell (D) Official languages None Area 119,283 km² (33rd)  - Land 116,074 km²  - Water 3,208 km² (2. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ...

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 Boeufs to control the portage from the stream's headwaters to Lake Erie. They called the stream Riveraux aux Boeufs (Meaning River with Buffalo). George Washington was sent to deliver a message to these forts in 1752. Not knowing the stream's name, he gave it the present name of French Creek because of the nearby French forts. [1] A Sioux in traditional dress including war bonnet, circa 1908. ... Franklin is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania: Franklin, Cambria County, Pennsylvania Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... The Great Lakes from space The Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes on or near the United States-Canadian border. ... Carl D. Perkins Bridge in Portsmouth, Ohio with Ohio River and Scioto River tributary on right. ... Portage refers to the practice of carrying a canoe or other boat overland land to avoid an obstacle on the water route (such as rapids in a river), or between two water routes. ... Lake Erie, looking southward from a high rural bluff near Leamington, Ontario Lake Erie is one of the five large freshwater Great Lakes in North America, the worlds largest such lakes. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732–December 14, 1799) was an American planter, political figure, and military leader. ... 1752 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

It is formed near French Creek, New York 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, New York. French Creek is a town located in Chautauqua County, New York. ... Franklin is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania: Franklin, Cambria County, Pennsylvania Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Crawford County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. ... Venango County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. ... Mercer County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. ... Chautauqua County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. ...

French Creek is considered one of the most biologically diverse streams east of the Mississippi River providing habitant 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. Length 6,270 km Elevation of the source 450 m Average discharge Saint Louis¹: 5,500 m³/s Vicksburg²: 16,800 m³/s Baton Rouge³: 12,800 m³/s Area watershed 2,980,000 km² Origin  Lake Itasca Mouth  Gulf of Mexico Basin countries United States (98. ... General Name, Symbol, Number chlorine, Cl, 17 Chemical series halogens Group, Period, Block 17, 3, p Appearance yellowish green Atomic mass 35. ... Meadville is a city located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,685. ...

Cities and towns along its course include:

• Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania
• Saegertown, Pennsylvania
• Meadville, Pennsylvania
• Cochranton, Pennsylvania
• Utica, Pennsylvania
• Franklin, Pennsylvania

Cambridge Springs is a borough located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. ... Saegertown is a borough located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. ... Meadville is a city located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,685. ... Cochranton is a borough located in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. ... Utica is a borough located in Venango County, Pennsylvania. ... Franklin is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania: Franklin, Cambria County, Pennsylvania Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

See also

• List of Pennsylvania rivers

This is a list of rivers in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania Allegheny River Antietam Creek Beaver River Blacklick Creek Brandywine Creek Chemung River Clarion River Conemaugh River Conestoga River Conewango Creek Connoquenessing Creek Conococheague Creek Cowanesque Creek Crooked Creek Delaware River French Creek Juniata River Kiskiminetas River Lackawanna...

External links

• French Creek honored for its beauty, history, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
• French Creek from Indian Villages and Place Names in Pennsylvania