A southeastern Pennsylvania waterway with a story of environmental recovery has been chosen as the commonwealth’s 2026 River of the Year following a public vote that drew thousands of participants. The Conestoga River won the designation after receiving 2,510 votes in an online contest that drew 5,604 total votes, state officials announced. The Lower Schuylkill River finished second with 2,312 votes, while Chillisquaque Creek received 782 votes. The Conestoga River Club, which nominated the waterway, will receive a $15,000 Leadership Grant to fund River of the Year activities throughout 2026. The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers oversees the River of the Year vote in collaboration with the state conservation department.