The Conestoga River has been named Pennsylvania's 2026 River of the Year, marking a significant achievement for the 61-mile waterway that flows through Lancaster County.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced the honor following a public vote in which the Conestoga received 2,510 votes, narrowly beating the Lower Schuylkill River's 2,312 votes and Chillisquaque Creek's 782 votes, according to the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
"The once-polluted river's transformation shows what can happen when we prioritize clean, healthy waterways," said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn in the announcement.
The Conestoga River Club, which nominated the waterway, will receive a $15,000 grant to fund year-long celebration activities throughout 2026.
The river flows from its headwaters near the Lancaster-Berks county border to the Susquehanna River below Safe Harbor Dam. Its watershed encompasses 475 square miles and includes tributaries such as Muddy Creek, Cocalico Creek, Lititz Run, Mill Creek, and the Little Conestoga Creek.
Known as one of Lancaster County's most scenic waterways, the Conestoga has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation including canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The river passes through working farms, small towns, and under historic bridges, connecting residents to both history and nature.
The River of the Year program, administered by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers with funding from DCNR, aims to celebrate Pennsylvania's waterways while raising awareness of conservation needs.