French Creek near Union City, PA
USGS 03021520 · Pennsylvania · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 03021520 · Pennsylvania · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Approach the stream carefully and with a low profileIowa Department of Natural Resources
Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstreamIowa Department of Natural Resources
Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low waterMinnesota Department of Natural Resources
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Much below normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 8:45 PM EDT to Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST; ranging 50.9 to 69.8 ft³/s; latest 68.1 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST | 68.1 | 2.3 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST | 66.4 | 2.29 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST | 68.1 | 2.3 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST | 66.4 | 2.29 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST | 66.4 | 2.29 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST | 63.1 | 2.27 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST | 64.8 | 2.28 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST | 63.1 | 2.27 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST | 63.1 | 2.27 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST | 64.8 | 2.28 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST | 63.1 | 2.27 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST | 64.8 | 2.28 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST | 64.8 | 2.28 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST | 64.8 | 2.28 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST | 64.8 | 2.28 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST | 63.1 | 2.27 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST | 60 | 2.25 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 244–894 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 244–894 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–922 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST | 58.4 | 2.24 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 249–957 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 249–957 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST | 50.9 | 2.19 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 228–930 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST | 52.4 | 2.2 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST | 53.9 | 2.21 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST | 55.4 | 2.22 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST | 56.9 | 2.23 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 218–882 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 218–882 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 179–899 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 179–899 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT | 55.4 | 2.22 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT | 52.4 | 2.2 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT | 55.4 | 2.22 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT | 56.9 | 2.23 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT | 60 | 2.25 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT | 69.8 | 2.31 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT | 58.4 | 2.24 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 164–908 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 164–908 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 138–899 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 138–899 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 138–899 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM EDT | 61.5 | 2.26 | 138–899 |
Map of USGS gauge 03021520 and the river around it
Where French Creek near Union City, PA sits, with 3 other gauges on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission uses are 60°F, 70°F and 72°F.
for this gauge.
Normal for Nov 5: 244–894 ft³/s (middle half of 37 years of record). Now: 68.1 ft³/s, much below normal.
Much below normal for this date. 68.1 ft³/s is below the 10th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 37 years of record (1972–2026): 10th 200, 25th 244, median 400, 75th 894, 90th 1,140 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 37.4 ft³/s, highest 1,920 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 19.7%, from 56.9 to 68.1 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 19.7%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 2.25 ft stage, 60 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST (NWS gauge UCDP1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 11:28 AM EST. Highest point: 2.3 ft³/s on Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | – | 2.3 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | – | 2.3 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | – | 2.3 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | – | 2.3 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | – | 2.3 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | – | 2.3 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.