A southeastern Pennsylvania waterway with a story of environmental recovery has been chosen as the commonwealth’s 2026 River of the Year following a public vote that drew thousands of participants.
The Conestoga River won the designation after receiving 2,510 votes in an online contest that drew 5,604 total votes, state officials announced.
The Lower Schuylkill River finished second with 2,312 votes, while Chillisquaque Creek received 782 votes.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said Thursday the Conestoga represents what’s possible when clean waterways become a priority.
“This once-polluted river is an example of what can happen when we prioritize clean, healthy waterways,” Dunn said. “Its transformation has made the Conestoga a hub for outdoor recreation, providing a boost to the region and demonstrating that rivers build thriving communities.”
The river flows more than 61 miles from its headwaters in Berks County to the Susquehanna River below the Safe Harbor Dam. Along the way, it passes historic covered bridges, working farms, and small towns. The waterway has become a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.
The Conestoga River Club, which nominated the waterway, will receive a $15,000 Leadership Grant to fund River of the Year activities throughout 2026. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will work with the club to create a commemorative poster.
Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck, executive director of the Conestoga River Club, said the designation honors a waterway woven into Lancaster County’s identity, from the legacy of the Conestoga people to families who recreate along its banks.
“This designation will draw attention to her evolving narrative, from a history marked by pollution to a powerful, collaborative turnaround that can serve as a model for the nation,” Clatterbuck said.
The club is dedicating the victory to those who will benefit from the watershed’s future health and to the memory of Ad Crable, a local journalist who championed stewardship of the Conestoga.
The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers oversees the River of the Year vote in collaboration with the state conservation department.
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