BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Two Lehigh Valley waterways, as well as a third in western Pennsylvania, are vying for an annual commonwealth honor: River of the Year.
“These three rivers are remarkable examples of Pennsylvania’s rich natural heritage,” state Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a news release.
“This competition not only highlights their unique qualities but also builds community pride and emphasizes their recreational, cultural and economic importance."
Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn
“This competition not only highlights their unique qualities but also builds community pride and emphasizes their recreational, cultural and economic importance.
“I can’t wait to see which waterway earns the 2025 title.”
The Delaware and Youghiogheny rivers, as well as the Perkiomen Creek, have been nominated.
Administered by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, or POWR, with funding from the DCNR, officials said the effort aims to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements.
Voting now is open, and residents can vote for their favorite of the Top 3 through the POWR website until 5 p.m. Jan. 24. Only one vote per email address is permitted.
The winning river's nominating organization will get a $10,000 DCNR grant to fund yearlong celebrations, including paddling events and community activities, as well as a commemorative poster.
'Greatest privilege and honor'
The Delaware River is familiar to many in the Lehigh Valley as the border between Northampton County and neighboring New Jersey.
It originates in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York and flows for more than 300 miles southward into Delaware Bay, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.
The annual Delaware River Sojourn, which began in 1995, happens each June. This year, about 100 paddlers participated in the eight-day guided paddling and camping trip.
Perkiomen Creek is a 37.7-mile tributary of the Schuylkill River, stretching through Berks, Lehigh and Montgomery counties.
Described as “a true hidden gem” on the POWR website, the Perkiomen offers more than 14 miles of paddling and is the newest PA State Water Trail in the system.
“The Stream Cleanup is the largest single-day stream cleanup in the state of Pennsylvania and routinely attracts nearly 2,000 volunteers annually,” according to POWR.
“The Perkiomen Creek offers the perfect blend of accessibility and escape … it’s a truly beautiful greenway that’s located close to home.”
"As we all continue to spend more time outdoors and deepen our appreciation for the beautiful natural resources of Pennsylvania, the annual River of the Year voting process is a fun way to rally behind and support your favorite waterway."
Janet Sweeney, of POWR
“We are excited to once again kick off the public online voting process for Pennsylvania River of the Year," Janet Sweeney of POWR said.
“As we all continue to spend more time outdoors and deepen our appreciation for the beautiful natural resources of Pennsylvania, the annual River of the Year voting process is a fun way to rally behind and support your favorite waterway."
Since the program began in 1983, Lehigh Valley waterways have been chosen twice. Both times, it was the Lehigh River — in 1997 and again in 2007.