Pennsylvania Names Conestoga River River of the Year
The Conestoga River, which flows for 61 miles through Lancaster County, earns the state honor for its ongoing restoration.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Environmental
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In January 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources named the Conestoga River the 2026 River of the Year. This designation recognizes long-term efforts to improve water quality and increase public awareness about the river system.
Why it matters
The River of the Year program highlights the value of state waterways to the public, particularly in regions like Lancaster County where environmental challenges remain. Local restoration efforts are critical as the river contributes to approximately 25% of the sediment and nutrient pollution Pennsylvania sends to the Chesapeake Bay.
Volunteers have removed approximately 47 tons of trash since 2020 and planted 175 acres of forested buffers to secure streambanks. Despite these gains, the river continues to experience 55 to 65 annual sewage and rainwater diversion events.
The players
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
This state agency oversees the stewardship of Pennsylvania's natural resources and public lands.
Conestoga River Club
This organization leads local volunteer efforts to clean and restore the Conestoga River watershed.
Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association
This advocacy group monitors water quality and pursues legal action to protect the Lower Susquehanna watershed.
The details
Environmental recovery efforts involve planting forested buffers to cool water temperatures and utilizing farming techniques like no-till cultivation to minimize runoff. Meanwhile, legal tensions persist in the region, highlighted by a September 2026 Notice of Intent to File Citizen Suit issued by the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association against a manufacturer.
Timeline
1940s: Ruth Patrick began gauging water quality using organism diversity.
1980s: Monitoring systems were established to track long-term pollutant declines.
2020: The Conestoga River Club was founded to lead local restoration efforts.
January 2026: The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources named the river River of the Year.
September 2026: The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association issued a legal notice of intent to sue a PVC pipe manufacturer.
The Big Picture
Restoration efforts along the Conestoga River are essential to meeting broader goals established by the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load. This designation marks a shift in public focus toward the heavy lifting required to reduce nutrient pollution flowing into the regional watershed.
Local residents will see increased funding for outreach events throughout 2026 thanks to a $15,000 grant provided to the Conestoga River Club. Over the long term, expanded launch sites and restored streambanks will improve public access and recreational opportunities along the 61-mile river.
The takeaway
The Conestoga River's recognition highlights the importance of combining volunteer-led environmental cleanup with long-term agricultural and infrastructure planning. Residents interested in conservation can participate in local restoration efforts to help reduce the significant nutrient runoff Lancaster County contributes to the Chesapeake Bay.
What happens next
The Conestoga River Club plans to install a floating dock at Reigart's Landing by 2028 and aims to open 13 additional river launch sites within the next decade.
Further reading
Learn more about local restoration initiatives on the Pennsylvania Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Spotlight PA.
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