HARRISBURG, PA — Western Pennsylvania’s Allegheny River, a vital waterway that provides drinking water for over a million people and serves as an ecologically and economically valuable trail, has been voted as the state’s 2024 River of the Year. The announcement was made Monday by Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and Janet Sweeney of the Pennsylvania Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR).
The Allegheny River, starting as a humble stream in Potter County, winds through a brief stretch of New York before traversing six counties in Western Pennsylvania. Along its 325-mile journey, the river nourishes fertile valleys, supports a diverse range of species, and culminates in Pittsburgh, where it merges with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River.
Historically, the river has been cherished by various communities that have called this region home. The O-non-dowa-gah (Seneca Nation) named it Ohi:yo’ (beautiful river), while the Lenni Lenape (Delaware Nation) referred to it as welhik-heny (most beautiful stream). French settlers dubbed it La Belle Riviere. In the early 20th century, a series of locks and dams were constructed to make the river navigable for barges, transforming it into a bustling transport route. Today, the river is a popular spot for swimming, boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.
The Allegheny River is also home to the Allegheny Islands Wilderness, a seven-island, 372-acre preserve known for its old-growth hardwoods and abundant bird populations. The U.S. Forest Service has documented over 50 mammal, 200 bird, 25 amphibian, 20 reptile, 80 fish, and 25 freshwater mussel species in and around the Allegheny, including the threatened Salamander Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua), which contributes to the river’s health by filtering out sediment and pollutants.
This year, a record-breaking 20,259 votes were cast in the River of the Year Program, with the Allegheny River receiving the highest number of votes at 8,307. The other nominees were the Youghiogheny and the Lackawaxen River.
Three Rivers Waterkeeper nominated the Allegheny River for this prestigious title and will receive a $10,000 Leadership Grant to fund a variety of activities throughout 2024 to celebrate the river’s recognition. In collaboration with DCNR and POWR, they will also create a free, commemorative poster honoring the Allegheny River as the 2024 Pennsylvania River of the Year.
The selection of public voting choices was overseen by POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), in cooperation with DCNR. The River of the Year sojourn is among many paddling trips supported by DCNR and POWR each year as part of the Pennsylvania Sojourn Program.
Whether you’re bird watching, camping on an island, or navigating through the locks, the Allegheny River offers a rich tapestry of life, history, and beauty that we can all appreciate and learn from.
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