19257_Authority_June_2026

22 The Authority │ June O n January 29, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and PA Organization for Watersheds (pawatersheds.org) and Rivers Vice President Janet Sweeney announced the Conestoga River (conestogariverclub. org/water-trail) in southeastern Pennsylvania has been selected by a public vote as the Commonwealth’s 2026 River of the Year (pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/conservation/water/rivers- conservation/river-of-the-year-and-sojourns) . “Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year is the Conestoga River, and we are excited to spend the year celebrating the beauty and majesty of this wonderful waterway,” Secretary Dunn said. “This once-polluted river is an example of what can happen when we prioritize clean, healthy waterways. Its transformation has made the Conestoga a hub for outdoor recreation, providing a boost to the region and demonstrating that rivers build thriving communities.” The Conestoga flows for more than 61 miles, from its headwaters in Berks County down to the Susquehanna River below the Safe Harbor Dam. It threads past historic covered bridges, working farms, and small towns — a living landscape of culture, recreation, and history that belongs to all of us. The Conestoga is one of Lancaster County’s most scenic waterways and is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The Conestoga River Watershed covers hundreds of square miles and drains a mix of agricultural lands, towns, and growing suburbs — which means both rich heritage and real restoration challenges. The public was invited to vote online for the River of the Year, casting a total of 5,604 votes with the Conestoga River receiving 2,510 votes; the Lower Schuylkill River 2,312 votes; and the Chillisquaque Creek 782 votes. POWR oversees administration of the vote and works in collaboration with DCNR. “POWR would like to thank everyone who supported this year’s nominated rivers and especially those who showed such strong enthusiasm for the Conestoga River,” said Sweeney. “The River of the Year program continues to engage communities across Pennsylvania by highlighting the unique stories and value of our waterways. “As Pennsylvania’s River of the Year, the Conestoga River will be celebrated for its rich history, its importance to local c onestoga r iver n amed P ennsyLvania ’ s 2026 r iver of the y ear ; t he c onestoga r iver c LuB d edicated the h onor to a d c raBLe , a r evered o utdoor J ournaList Reading | Hawley | Lititz | Mountaintop | Pottsville | Pittsburgh 800.825.1372 | entecheng.com Inf ras t ructure means more to the people who rel y on i t . We not only understand the needs of the systems and people who have to work non-stop to serve our communites with water and wastewater services; we depend on them too. Continued on page 57.