Chillisquaque Creek
A 20-mile-long tributary of the Susquehanna River’s West Branch, the Chillisquaque Creek flows through Northumberland and Montour counties. Nominated by Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, it is the perfect microcosm of the Susquehanna River basin it feeds, and River of the Year designation could be a vital opportunity for both the creek and local communities. The creek was a vital artery to both Native American villages, and later, key Revolutionary-period forts. It still hosts three covered bridges on the national registry. Yet, today, the waterway is impaired by sedimentation, habitat alteration and runoff. Its banks are lined with agricultural fields and some industry, including an active gas-run power plant that recently converted from coal.
The watershed was protected for decades by a small watershed association that pulled more than 6,000 tires and hundreds of thousands of pounds of trash from its banks, but that group (like many) struggled to find young volunteers and in 2024 was forced to disband. Winning River of the Year would funnel in necessary resources and awareness to help rebuild the legacy of that group and resurrect a new sustainable option to improve and protect the watershed. Additionally, it would help remove a series of 10 logjams that have become barriers on the creek that will open up a new recreational paddling corridor from the town of Washingtonville to the Susquehanna River. This designation will allow for events that showcase the creek’s history, our impacts and what can be done to make a difference locally and beyond.
Conestoga River
The Conestoga River is ready for its moment in the spotlight as the 2026 PA River of the Year! This is more than a local title—it’s a chance to recognize a national model of collaboration and success right here in Pennsylvania. We’re asking for your vote to support the unique, results driven partnership of the Lancaster Clean Water Partners. This collaborative network, bringing together everyone from county government and non-profits to the Plain Sect communities and local businesses, is the vital blueprint for tackling environmental challenges in complex landscapes. Helping the Conestoga win this title will immediately raise its profile and help unlock critical funding to complete high-impact projects. Your vote will help finish the remaining public access points on the beautiful Conestoga Water Trail and accelerate the ambitious cleanup goals of the county’s Countywide Action Plan (CAP).
Most importantly, the Conestoga River is a powerful testament to resilience and hope. It proves that a waterway surrounded by heavy urban, suburban, and agricultural development can, with collective will, be successfully brought back to health. Let’s amplify this message across the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed! Vote for the Conestoga River for 2026 PA River of the Year. Celebrate Lancaster’s heritage and fuel the collective action needed to finally make this waterway clean and clear for all!
Lower Schuylkill River
An urban oasis surrounded by bustling roads and a backdrop of a gorgeous skyline. The lower Schuylkill River is a river like no other! This river is teeming with history of all kinds, including being heavily used by the Lenni Lenape and serving as the first municipal scale water system with the Fairmount Water Works! Over many years this river has transformed from being polluted and lifeless to becoming a diverse wildlife habitat not only being used by many species of animals, but also as a recreational hot spot for residents of this great city. Today, millions of people run, bike, fish, and paddle both on and along this river each year and more than 1.5 million people rely on this river for drinking water!
The lower stretches of this river alone serve as home to more than 40 species of fish, a number that many people would have thought to be impossible based on its historical conditions. 6.5 million people live in the greater Philadelphia area, all of which deserve access to this beautiful, shared resource! Over the years the river has been cleaned up and access has improved by organizations such as LandHealth Institute, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. This river is not yet accessible to everyone in the city, and pollution issues still plague the river every year. We want this river to be celebrated so that we can continue to work to make it more accessible for everyone!
Vote here!
For more information contact Janet Sweeney at jsweeney@pecpa.org.
