HARRISBURG PA – The Delaware River’s a winner … again.
The fabled river, which George Washington crossed by boat during a pivotal point in America’s revolutionary war, now is Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year. It secured the most votes in a public competition ending Jan. 16.
The announcement came Thursday (Feb. 13) from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Pennsylvania Organization for Waterways and Rivers. Perkiomen Creek was among three contenders for the honor, as was western Pennsylvania’s Youghiogheny River.
“The Delaware River is a conservation success story,” department Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn proclaims.
“This designation is a testament to its historical, cultural, and recreational significance,” she adds. As a drinking water source for millions of regional residents, as well as fueling economic growth and outdoor recreation, Dunn calls the river “a shining example of how communities can work together to protect and restore vital natural resources.”
Delaware River A Three-Time Winner
This marks the third time the Delaware River has earned the title. It previously won in 2002 and 2011. The public cast a total of 8,037 votes, of which the Delaware River received 2,962; followed by the Youghiogheny, 2,784; and the Perkiomen, 2,291.
The waterways organization, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, administers the annual vote as a partner with the department.
The river is home to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, said to be one of the top 20 most-visited national park areas in the country. Additionally, many of its tributaries are currently under study for national protection as part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers program.
To mark its recognition, the Delaware will be the site for a “River of the Year Paddle” planned during June. It’s one of a year-long series of events, according to the department.
Also, the Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition – which nominated the Delaware River – will receive a $15,000 leadership grant to support the related activities. A commemorative poster will also be created in its honor.
Photo provided by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Read an earlier story, below, about the Perkiomen Creek as one of the competitors for 2025 River of the Year. It was published Jan. 16 by Travels With The Post.
Choose Perkiomen as River of 2025; Your Vote Counts!
SCHWENKSVILLE PA – Only days remain until the Jan. 24 (2025; Friday) deadline for area residents to select the nearby Perkiomen Creek as Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year. It’s competing against the Delaware River (eastern PA) and the Youghiogheny River (western PA) for the naming honors.
The contest is conducted annually by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, with funding from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. As of Thursday (Jan. 16), the Delaware was winning with 37% of votes cast, followed by the Youghiogheny with 33%, and the Perkiomen with 29%.
Voting is open now until the deadline date at 5 p.m. Votes can be cast online (here), where details on each nominee and the River of the Year program also are available. One vote per e-mail address is permitted.
As might be expected, among those leading the promotional cheering to nominate the creek is the Schwenksville-based Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. The award-winning non-profit has worked since 1964 to “conserve and protect” the watershed’s natural resources, its website explains, and educate others to help in the effort.
“A simple vote could mean a BIG win” for Perkiomen Creek and its broad base of users, according to the watershed. “The winner of the River of the Year contest receives $10,000 for new on-water programs and events!,” it notes. A commemorative poster will also be created to honor the 2025 River of the Year.
There’s also an annual River of the Year sojourn, which is part of a larger series of paddling trips supported by department and the Watersheds and Rivers Organization. It promotes environmental awareness, recreation, and heritage. The 2025 sojourns have yet to be scheduled; see the 2024 list online.
More About The Competitors
All “three rivers are remarkable examples of Pennsylvania’s rich natural heritage,” department Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn says. “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.”
Many area residents already are familiar with the Perkiomen. It’s a 37.7-mile tributary of the Schuylkill River that stretches through Berks, Lehigh, and Montgomery counties. By the way, the Schuylkill won River of the Year honors for 2014.
The Delaware lays claims to being the longest undammed river in the eastern U.S. It forms part of Pennsylvania’s border with New York and New Jersey. The Youghiogheny is a hub for water sports like kayaking and riding fast rapids, as well as other recreation. It flows from PA’s Laurel Highlands region into West Virginia.
Photo by Travels With The Post
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