The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, will put on a public meeting in regards to the Union City Dam Aug. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Union City Middle/High School, 105 Concord St. (Map)

The Pittsburgh District is updating its Water Control Manual for the Union City Dam on French Creek. The district said “a water control manual defines the amount of water stored and released during normal operations throughout the year, as well as operations during emergencies and seasonal events such as droughts and floods.”

Union City Dam is one of 16 flood damage reduction projects in the Pittsburgh District. It is the only dry-bed reservoir in the district.

The dam can store the equivalent run-off of 4.08 inches of precipitation from its 222 square-mile drainage area. The district says the flood reduction benefits provided by the reservoir since its completion are estimated to be more than $80 million.

You can help make one of the natural jewels of northwestern Pennsylvania sparkle.

The French Creek Valley Conservancy‘s 20^th annual French Creek Cleanup is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. A weigh-in and picnic reception will take place at the Sprague Farm and Brew Works in Venango from noon to 6 p.m. All items must be brought in and weighed by 4 p.m. The picnic will feature live music, food, drinks and fun.

Cash prizes will be awarded, including $1,000 to the educational institution with the most participants and $500 each for the most trash by weight, the most unusual item, and for the community group with the most participants.

Sign up to take part here.

A father and daughter enjoy opening day of trout season on French Creek near Wattsburg:

Erie’s Mark Bean called Thursday to say how terrific it was to see French Creek stocked with trout after doing without for three decades.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced earlier this year that preseason stocking would be resumed in a 3.9-mile section from the West Branch to the new York border. Volunteers slipped browns and rainbows in the creek Thursday after meeting the stocking truck at 9 a.m. at route 8 and 89.

Many thanks to Mark for sharing his photos of the morning’s activities:

Two major changes to the adult trout stocking program in northwestern Pennsylvania — one welcome, one not so much.

1. A 3.9-mile section of French Creek in Erie County will be stocked in the preseason with brown and rainbow trout. The stream section runs from the New York border to the confluence with the West Branch of French Creek.

2. A 2-9 section of Coffee Creek in Warren County has been removed from the stocking list. According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, it’s because of a combination of low angler use and poor access.

Joe Soliwoda outdid himself with a 51-inch muskie caught and released in French Creek.

51 Inch+ Musky

Ask Joe Soliwoda for the location of his top muskie spot on French Creek at your own peril.

First came a 36-inch muskie Dec. 2:

December Musky

Then a 40-inch fish Dec. 4:

More December Muskys

And, one cast later, he brought a 38-inch muskie to hand:

Another December Musky

This is the fish of 10,000 casts, right?

Joe Soliwoda pulled a 36-inch northern pike from French Creek Nov. 8 at sunset. The fish, which was released, was caught on a large jerkbait.

Fat Fall Pike

Register now to take part in the annual French Creek Cleanup Sept. 10.

Early registration earns you a free t-shirt and free entry to the post-cleanup picnic.

The French Creek Valley Conservancy will offer prizes including $1,000 to the science program of the educational institution with the most participants. Prizes are based on official weight of collected trash. Weigh in by 3 p.m. to be considered for prizes.

The picnic is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. at Sprague Farms & Brew Works, Venango. Unkle John’s Band will perform. Cost is $10 per person for those who do not register to take part in the cleanup.

To register, or for information, call the conservancy at (814) 337-4321 or e-mail frenchcreek@windstream.net.

Check out this reader-submitted photo of a 20 1/2-inch, 3 1/2-pound monster rainbow caught opening day:

Trophy French Creek Rainbow

Share your catch — easily upload your photo to the GoErie.com Hunting and Fishing gallery.