Time Running Out To Vote For The Delaware As PA River Of The Year

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The public has until Friday, January 24 at 5 p.m. to vote for the Delaware as Pennsylvania's "River Of the Year" in 2025.

Online voting is open now allowing Pennsylvanians to choose from three nominated waterways: the Delaware River, the Youghiogheny River, and the Perkiomen Creek.

“These three rivers are remarkable examples of Pennsylvania’s rich natural heritage,” said
DCNR Secretary Cindy 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.”

About the Nominees

• Delaware River: The longest undammed river in the Eastern U.S., forming part of Pennsylvania’s border with New York and New Jersey.
• Youghiogheny River: A hub for water recreation, flowing from the Laurel Highlands into West Virginia.
• Perkiomen Creek: A 37.7-mile tributary of the Schuylkill River, stretching through Berks, Lehigh, and Montgomery counties.

The Delaware River is of historical, recreational, and natural importance to the country. Historically, the river is where Washington made his famous crossing, marking the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The river was also crucial in the industrial revolution of the country and today it is home to the largest freshwater port in the world.

While more than 14 million people depend on the Delaware River for drinking water, the river itself was once so polluted that it turned the hulls of ships dark brown. However, thanks to the collaborative effort of government agencies and nonprofits, the health of the Delaware River has been restored.

The river now holds more National Wild and Scenic designations than any other river and is home to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area, one of the top 20 most visited National Park units in the country.

Currently, many of the tributaries of the Delaware River are under study to become nationally protected under the Wild & Scenic program as well.

The Delaware River also showcases a legacy of collaboration for environmental good, through the species it hosts, the communities that have been established around it, and the outdoor recreation it provides.

As the PA 2025 River of the Year, the Delaware River would use the year to celebrate the power of collaboration, featured in collaboration with the Delaware River Sojourn which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025.

Click here to read about the other nominees.

The River of the Year program, administered by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) with funding from DCNR, celebrates Pennsylvania’s waterways while raising awareness of conservation needs.

How to Vote

Voting is open now through 5 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025. Votes can be cast online at the POWR website, with details on each nominee and the River of the Year program. One vote per email address is permitted.

The winning river’s nominating organization will receive a $10,000 DCNR grant to fund year-long celebrations, including paddling events and community activities. A commemorative poster will also be created to honor the 2025 River of the Year.

The annual River of the Year sojourn is part of a larger series of paddling trips supported by DCNR and POWR to promote environmental awareness, recreation, and heritage. Learn more about the sojourns at pawatersheds.org.

Visit DCNR’s website to learn more about the Rivers Program, and check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.