Nominations Accepted from October 7, 2024 through November 11, 2024
Dallas – Pennsylvania organizations are invited to nominate waterways for the 2024 Pennsylvania River of the Year.
The nomination period is open through November 11, 2024, until 5 p.m. Selected nominations will be voted on by the public beginning in late November.
“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 to accept nominations for the 2025 competition,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “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.”
To nominate a river or waterway, please visit https://pecpa.org/apply
All Pennsylvania waterways are eligible for nomination except those from the past five years, which include:
2024 – Allegheny River
2023 – Susquehanna North Branch
2022 – French Creek
2021 – Shenango River
2020 – Lackawanna River
About the River of the Year Program
The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) administers the River of the Year program with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Pennsylvania’s River of the Year is an honor designed to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. River of the Year designations have been presented annually since 1983.
“POWR is thrilled to announce the opening of the nomination period for the 2025 Pennsylvania River of the Year! This highly anticipated program shines a spotlight on the Commonwealth’s treasured waterways,” said POWR representative Janet Sweeney. “We look forward to another opportunity for Pennsylvanians to support their favorite rivers in a friendly competition across the state.” 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. The nominating organization of the winning river will receive a $15,000 leadership grant to help fund these River of the Year activities.
