Atlantic Ocean? Gulf of Mexico? Where Erie County's many moving waterways ultimately flow

Erie is one of the best-watered counties in Pennsylvania, yet it has no rivers and only a few significant creeks. It does have a large number of streams and runs. Many east-to-west inland ridges are found in the county.

Of course, Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie are the lowest points as you move south. All the water in Erie County, except the bay and lake, flows in diverse directions. However, all the streams and creeks flow in two distinct general zones, northern and southern.

More: Fans, protectors of French Creek not surprised it's Pennsylvania's 2022 River of the Year

All flowing water in the county's northern zone flows into Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay, then along the Niagara River and over Niagara Falls into Lake Ontario, down the St. Lawrence River and into the Atlantic Ocean. All water in the southern zone flows down French Creek, plus many smaller streams or creeks flow into the Allegheny River and then onto the Ohio River, which flows into the Mississippi River and empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

More than a dozen major creeks, streams and many small waterways flow into Presque Isle Bay or Lake Erie. The largest of the large creeks is Elk Creek. It starts south of Erie on the northern side of Waterford. From there, it meanders westward through McKean, Fairview, Girard and finally into Lake Erie. Its total journey is estimated to be just over 30 miles.

When the old Erie Extension Canal was constructed, many people tried to get Elk Creek made its entry point into the lake. The name Elk Creek was given to the creek because, in 1700 and 1800, many elk lived along its banks and the Lake Erie shoreline.

Walnut Creek in Fairview Township is the other significant stream that flows into Lake Erie. This creek travels 22.6 miles to Lake Erie, beginning just south of Interstate 90 in eastern Erie County, about three miles south of Penn State Behrend. It is also the creek that flows near the Millcreek Mall. There is a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission-owned public access area, marina with boat stalls and a large boat launching ramp onto Lake Erie. The access facilities include the first two public fish cleaning stations along Pennsylvania's Lake Erie shoreline. New legislation allowed increased use of proceeds from selling Lake Erie licenses toward such public amenities.

2021: PFBC celebrates opening of new Walnut Creek fishing cleaning station

The main creek in the county that flows south is French Creek. It originates in Chautauqua County, New York, and flows southwest into Erie County to form its main branch. The south branch of French Creek rises in southeastern Erie County near Corry and flows west to its confluence with the main branch near Union City. The main branch then follows a southerly route through Crawford County, the northeastern corner of Mercer County, and Venango County, where it joins the Allegheny River at Franklin. The main branch of French Creek is approximately 117 miles long.

From the GoErie archive: French Creek, a community treasure from source to confluence

The French Creek watershed encompasses approximately 1,250 square miles, more than 790,000 acres. The stream and its tributaries drain parts of all 72 municipalities in northwestern Pennsylvania. The French Creek watershed comprises 11% of the drainage basin of the Allegheny River. Due to its outstanding water quality, rich biodiversity, and notable history, French Creek is considered one of the most important streams of its size in the northeastern United States. The fishing along the creek is excellent, and many anglers go there for the big fish.

Erie County is fortunate that fresh water is not a problem and is part of what makes it a wonderful place to visit or live.

See you on the park!

Gene Ware is the author of 10 books. He serves on the board of the Presque Isle Light Station and is past chairman of the boards of the Tom Ridge Center Foundation and the Presque Isle Partnership. Email him at ware906@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA watersheds connect to Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean