{"id":100119,"date":"2026-01-29T21:52:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T21:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/100119\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T21:52:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T21:52:10","slug":"conestoga-river-named-pennsylvanias-2026-river-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/100119\/","title":{"rendered":"Conestoga River Named Pennsylvania\u2019s 2026 River of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

The\u00a0Conestoga River<\/a>\u00a0in southeastern Pennsylvania has been selected by a public vote as the Commonwealth\u2019s 2026 River of the Year,\u00a0Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn\u00a0and\u00a0Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) Vice President Janet Sweeney announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cPennsylvania\u2019s 2026 River of the Year is the Conestoga River, and we are excited to spend the year celebrating the beauty and majesty of this wonderful waterway,\u201d\u00a0Secretary\u00a0Dunn\u00a0said. \u201cThis once-polluted river is an example of what can happen when we prioritize clean, healthy waterways. Its transformation has made the Conestoga a hub for outdoor recreation, providing a boost to the region and demonstrating that rivers build thriving communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Conestoga flows for more than 61 miles, from its headwaters in Berks County down to the Susquehanna River below the Safe Harbor Dam. It threads past historic covered bridges, working farms, and small towns \u2014 a living landscape of culture, recreation, and history that belongs to all of us.<\/p>\n

The Conestoga is one of Lancaster County\u2019s most scenic waterways and is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The Conestoga River Watershed covers hundreds of square miles and drains a mix of agricultural lands, towns, and growing suburbs \u2014 which means both rich heritage and real restoration challenges.<\/p>\n

The public was invited to vote online for the\u00a0River of the Year<\/a>, casting a total of 5,604 votes with the Conestoga River receiving 2,510 votes; the Lower Schuylkill River 2,312 votes; and the Chillisquaque Creek 782 votes. POWR oversees administration of the vote and works in collaboration with DCNR.<\/p>\n

\u201cPOWR would like to thank everyone who supported this year\u2019s nominated rivers and especially those who showed such strong enthusiasm for the Conestoga River,\u201d said\u00a0Sweeney. \u201cThe River of the Year program continues to engage communities across Pennsylvania by highlighting the unique stories and value of our waterways. As Pennsylvania\u2019s River of the Year, the Conestoga River will be celebrated for its rich history, its importance to local communities, and the ongoing efforts to restore and protect this vital resource for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Conestoga River Club nominated the Conestoga River and will receive a $15,000 Leadership Grant to help fund a slate of year-long 2026 River of the Year activities. DCNR and POWR will work with them to create a free, commemorative poster celebrating the Conestoga River as the 2026 Pennsylvania River of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Conestoga River being named 2026 River of the Year is an honor that celebrates a history woven into the fabric of life in Lancaster County,\u201d said\u00a0Conestoga River Club Executive Director Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck. \u201cFrom the legacy of the Conestoga people to the iconic wagons that helped shape a nation, to the community families that recreate in its meandering shallows, the Conestoga River is deeply beloved. 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. We unite our voices \u2014 Plain Sect, urban, and rural alike \u2014 to craft a shared story of sustainability and collaboration. Together we commit to making the Conestoga clean and clear for all. Our deepest thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers for making this opportunity possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Conestoga River Club is dedicating the 2026 River of the Year victory and celebration to those who will benefit from the future health of our watershed, and to the memory of Ad Crable, a revered local journalist who championed the careful stewardship of the Conestoga.<\/p>\n

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