What Pittsburgh-Area River Was Just Named the 2024 River of the Year?
The Allegheny River -- one of Pittsburgh’s three rivers -- wins this acknowledgement in a public vote recognizing environmental conservation efforts.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Originating as a stream in Potter County in North-Central Pennsylvania, it journeys 325 miles through a small part of New York and then across six counties in Western Pennsylvania before joining the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh at the Ohio River. It provides drinking water to more than 1 million people and serves as a habitat for hundreds of animal species, including the threatened Salamander mussel.
That’s the Allegheny River, which has been named Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers.
Held annually since 1983, the contest raises awareness about the Pennsylvania environment and local conservation efforts.
Janet Sweeney, vice president of the watershed organization, said in a release that the “program continues to engage our communities by providing a wonderful opportunity to showcase all the nominated rivers and the great work being done in Pennsylvania on these resources.”
ALLEGHENY RIVER NEAR FRANKLIN, PA | PHOTO BY RICHARD COOK
Organizations nominate rivers for the award, with five being selected for a public vote. The winning river’s nominating organization receives a $10,000 grant from the DCNR and watershed group to fund events throughout the year, including a sojourn commemorating the River of the Year award.
Coming in with 8,307 of the record 20,259 votes submitted, the Allegheny River pulled just ahead of the Youghiogheny’s 7,212 to be named Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year.
The Allegheny River’s nominating organization, Three Rivers Waterkeeper was founded in 2009 and aims to “have drinkable, fishable, swimmable water in the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers”.
“We are dedicated to protecting the water quality of the Allegheny River and all its uses,” said Jess Friss, director of Three Rivers Waterkeeper. “Knowing that it was awarded the River of the Year because of the support of the community shows the collective commitment to environmental stewardship, recreation, and love for our waterways that defines this community.”
The DCNR website includes more details about the River of the Year competition.
