The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced River of the Year candidates and the Conestoga River has been selected for River of the Year voting. The Conestoga River joins the Schuylkill River, Susquehanna River North Branch, and Perkiomen Creek on the ballot.
“We are thrilled for our river to be included, but now it’s time to really get the word out so that she is named River of the Year," said Conestoga River Club Executive Director, Todd Roy.
Meandering along a 63 mile course and draining just over 475 miles of watershed on its way to the Susquehanna, the Conestoga River is the very heart of Lancaster County. The Conestoga River also makes up the eastern board of Manheim Township.
The public is being encouraged to vote for the Conestoga as River of the Year. If selected, the Conestoga River Club and their partners will receive a $10,000 leadership grant. This grant will help fund River of the Year activities, including an overnight kayak camping trip along the water trail corridor, a ROTY festival and paddlesports race, their 3rd annual Earth Day clean-up, and a host of other events to bring more awareness and recognition for our local waterway.
“The Conestoga River has been nominated as the 2023 River of the Year by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers (POWR), said Manheim Township Assistant Manager, Andy Bowman. "I enthusiastically support the Conestoga River as a candidate for 2023 and I encourage all Manheim Township residents to vote! With access from Perelman Park here in Manheim Township, the Conestoga River provides for a wonderful resource for passive recreation.”
To cast your vote, please click here. Voting is open until Wednesday, January 18th, 2023.
The Conestoga River Club is a nonprofit Watershed organization that manages the Conestoga Water Trail. In that role we promote and provide inclusive access to the Conestoga, host clean-ups and engage in free and low cost recreational and educational programs to elevate the profile and conservation needs of Our River.
