Press release by DCNR Newsroom on 15 October 2025

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, November 21, until 5:00 PM.

Organizations looking to nominate a waterway can submit an application online
to the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers website.

The nomination period for the 2026 Pennsylvania River of the Year is open, giving organizations across the Commonwealth the opportunity to nominate their favorite waterway for special designation and celebration in 2026.

“Every year, the River of the Year competition shines a spotlight on one of Pennsylvania’s amazing waterways and I am excited for the 2026 competition,” said Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Our rivers and streams are critical to supporting Pennsylvania’s growing $19 billion outdoor recreation economy. They also hold tremendous environmental value as sources of drinking water, for wildlife habitat, and bringing people together in communities across the state. I am really looking forward to this year’s competition and can’t wait to see which river the public chooses as the 2026 River of the Year.”

The nomination period is open through Friday, November 21, until 5:00 PM. Selected nominations will be voted on by the public beginning in late November. For more information about the River of the Year program, visit the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers’ (POWR) website. To nominate a river or waterway, visit the Grants and Awards webpage and scroll down to “Apply.”

“POWR is thrilled to announce the opening of the nomination period for the 2026 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 grant to help fund the River of the Year activities.

All Pennsylvania waterways are eligible for nomination, except for the winners from the past five years:

  • 2025 – Delaware River
  • 2024 – Allegheny River
  • 2023 – Susquehanna North Branch
  • 2022 – French Creek
  • 2021 – Shenango River

POWR administers the River of the Year program with funding from DCNR.

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.

Nominate a River Guidelines

About the River of the Year Program

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) administer 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.

After a waterway is chosen, local groups implement a year-long schedule of celebration activities and events to celebrate the river, including a River of the Year Sojourn. The nominating organization of the winning river will receive a $15,000 grant to help fund their River of the Year activities.

In order to be considered for PA River of the Year, the nominated waterway must be navigable and the nominating organization:

  • Must be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, municipality, municipal agencies, or an educational institution.
  • If a nonprofit, the organizations must be registered with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations.
  • Must have the capacity to host a yearlong schedule of activities celebrating the River of the Year
  • Must hold at least one on-water sojourn kayak/canoe event

Questions:

  • For content questions about this application, contact Angela Vitkoski (avitkoski@pecpa.org) or (570)718-6507.
  • For technical questions regarding completion of this application, contact support@submittable.com Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. with limited availability on the weekends.

Completing the Application: It is possible to complete the application during multiple sessions. Be sure to save as you go and before you end any session. Please answer all questions and upload any supporting or required documents before you submit your application.

Important Dates:
Application Available: October 13, 2025
Nominations Due: November 21, 2025 (no later than 5pm)
Nominated Waterways Chosen for Public Vote Announced: By the Beginning of December 2025
Public Voting Period: Beginning of December 2025 through Mid-January 2026
2026 PA River of the Year Announced: End of January 2026

 

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