BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Each year, state environmental officials facilitate an election, complete with nominations and voting.
But, it isn’t for a political office — it’s to choose which of Pennsylvania’s dozens of waterways is residents’ favorite.
“Each year, the River of the Year competition highlights one of Pennsylvania's special waterways, and I'm excited to announce that we are again partnering with the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) to accept nominations for the 2025 competition," said state Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, in a news release.
“Our beautiful rivers and streams support Pennsylvania's $17 billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, provide habitat for wildlife and anchor communities.
“I look forward to this year's competition and can't wait to see what the public selects as the 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year."
With some 85,000 miles of streams and rivers across Pennsylvania, there’s plenty to choose from. Administered by POWR, with funding from DCNR, officials said the effort aims to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements.
Nominations are open through 5 p.m. Nov. 11, officials said. Selected nominations will be voted on by the public later this month.
This highly anticipated program shines a spotlight on the commonwealth's treasured waterways. We look forward to another opportunity for Pennsylvanians to support their favorite rivers in a friendly competition across the state.POWR representative Janet Sweeney
“POWR is thrilled to announce the opening of the nomination period for the 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year,” said POWR representative Janet Sweeney. “This highly anticipated program shines a spotlight on the commonwealth's treasured waterways.
“We look forward to another opportunity for Pennsylvanians to support their favorite rivers in a friendly competition across the state."
Eligible waterways
All Pennsylvania waterways are eligible for nomination, except for the last five winners of the River of the Year. Last year, the Allegheny River won.
Other ineligible waterways include the Susquehanna North Branch, French Creek, Shenango River and the Lackawanna River.
“Once a river is selected, the local host will organize a year-long series of events and activities to celebrate the river, including the popular River of the Year Sojourn,” according to the release. “The nominating organization of the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant to help fund these River of the Year activities.”
Since the program began in 1983, Lehigh Valley waterways have been chosen twice. Both times, it was the Lehigh River – in 1997 and then again in 2007.
The Lehigh is 109-mile-long tributary of the Delaware River that flows from its headwaters in the Poconos through most of the Lehigh Valley before its confluence with the Delaware in Easton. It supports the drinking water supply of 15 million people.
In April 2023, the Lehigh River was for the first time included in a national list of endangered rivers. Environmentalists pointed to “poorly planned development,” including warehouses and distribution centers as the cause of putting “the river’s health at risk.”
The year prior, a study of several of the region’s waterways, including the Lehigh River, Little Lehigh Creek, Saucon Creek, Bushkill Creek and Monocacy Creek, found each contaminated with microplastics – pieces less than 5mm long, or smaller than a grain of rice.
To nominate a river or waterway, go to the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s grants and awards webpage.
