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.”

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.