French Creek is one of the most ecologically significant waterways in Pennsylvania. It contains more species of fish and mussels than any other similar sized-stream in Pennsylvania. Consequently, it has been a focus of ecological research and conservation efforts. This page contains the Watershed Conservation Plan for French Creek, as well as reports on the major recent inventory and research projects of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in the French Creek Watershed. These projects provide detailed information about aquatic habitats that should be conserved and restored within the watershed.

• 3rd State of the Stream Report: Aquatic Communities and Habitats in the Tributaries to French Creek, Pennsylvania (2009)
• 2nd Annual State of the Stream Report: Freshwater Mussels (Unionidae) – French Creek, Pennsylvania (2004)
• 1st Annual State of the Stream Report on the Health of French Creek (2003)
• French Creek Watershed Conservation Plan (2002)

3rd State of the Stream Report: Aquatic Communities and Habitats in the Tributaries to French Creek, Pennsylvania (2009). The 3rd State of the Stream Report focuses on the ten major tributaries to French Creek. It provides information about the mussel, fish, and macroinvertebrate communities of each tributary. It also includes in-stream habitat mapping and assessments for each tributary, as well as an analysis of land use in each tributary watershed.

 Full report (pdf) – 4.71 MB

 Main report, no appendices (pdf) – 884 KB
 Appendix A (pdf) – 73 KB
 Appendix B (pdf) – 78 KB
 Appendix C (pdf) – 1.88 MB
 Appendix D (pdf) – 81 KB
 Appendix E (pdf) – 2.0 MB

2nd Annual State of the Stream Report: Freshwater Mussels (Unionidae) – French Creek, Pennsylvania (2004). The 2nd Annual State of the Stream Report details the results of freshwater mussel surveys on the mainstem of French Creek conducted in 2003. The distribution and population health of each mussel species is described. The relationship between the mussel community and habitat is analyzed.

 Full report (pdf) – 9.69 MB

 Cover (pdf) – 7.54 MB
 Part 1 (pdf) – 2.15 MB
 Part 2 (pdf) – 663 KB
 Part 3 (pdf) – 1.17 MB

1st Annual State of the Stream Report on the Health of French Creek (2003). The 1st Annual State of the Stream Report focuses on water quality issues in the French Creek Watershed. It describes water quality, nutrient loading and the macroinvertebrate community. In-stream habitat mapping and assessments for the mainstem of French Creek are provided. The relationships between water quality, macroinvertebrates, habitat, and land use are analyzed. Additionally, a description of the geomorphology of French Creek is provided by Dr. Eric Straffin of Edinboro University.

 Full report (pdf) – 7.32 MB

 Cover (pdf) – 4.17 MB
 Part 1 (pdf) – 1.41 MB
 Part 2 (pdf) – 18 KB
 Part 3 (pdf) – 653 KB
 Part 4 (pdf) – 61 KB
 Part 5 (pdf) – 317 KB
 Part 6 (pdf) – 13 KB
 Part 7 (pdf) – 17 KB
 Part 8 (pdf) – 10 KB
 Part 9 (pdf) – 1.21 MB
 Part 10 (pdf) – 209 KB

French Creek Watershed Conservation Plan (2002). The French Creek Watershed Conservation Plan was written in collaboration with the partners of the French Creek Project. It provides a description of the watershed and its associated land, water, biological and cultural resources. In addition, the plan describes the threats to these resources and provides detailed recommendations for conserving French Creek through education, research and cooperative actions.

 Full plan (pdf) - 6.0 MB

 Mission (pdf) – 225 KB
 Table of Contents (pdf) – 123 KB
 Introduction (pdf) – 171 KB
 Our Commitment to Agriculture (pdf) – 56 KB
 Public Participation in the Planning Process (pdf) – 56 KB
 Project Area Characteristics (pdf) – 4.0 MB
 Land Resources (pdf) – 4.52 MB
 Water Resources (pdf) – 3.72 MB
 Biological Resources (pdf) – 496 KB
 Cultural Resources (pdf) – 902 KB
 Threats and Recommendations (pdf) – 439 KB
 Action Plans (pdf) – 103 KB
 Abbreviations and Acronyms (pdf) – 62 KB
 Glossary of Terms (pdf) – 181 KB
 References (pdf) – 124 KB
 Appendices A to D (pdf) –853 KB
 Appendices E to G (pdf) – 257 KB
 Appendix H (pdf) – 116 KB
 Appendices I to K (pdf) – 467 KB