French Creek wins Pa. River of the Year; 2nd place Monongahela will still party on

French Creek, in the northwestern Pennsylvania, has been named 2022 Pennsylvania River of the Year by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

One of the most environmentally diverse small waterways in the country, French Creek took almost half the votes in a contest with three other bodies of water. The Monongahela River took second place in the event, where residents voted for their favorite river via website operated by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers.

A total of 13,972 votes were cast, with French Creek receiving 6,604; the Monongahela River, 3,311, Catawissa Creek, 3,188, Connoquenessing Creek, 869, according to DCNR.

The local group that nominates the winning river receives a $10,000 leadership grant from DCNR to develop year-round activities and events to celebrate the river, including a paddling trip, or sojourn.

While the Monongahela River, a scrappy contender for River of the Year given its long battle with pollution, did not take the top prize, river supporters are still planning celebrations.

“It’s still a victory for us to come in second place,” said Heather Van Tassle, of West View, executive director of the Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a nonprofit that advocates scientifically and legally for cleaner waters in the Pittsburgh region.

The Monongahela River starts at the junction of Tygart Valley River and West Fork Rivers in Marion County, W.Va., and flows northward toward Pittsburgh where it joins with the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River.

Three Rivers Waterkeeper sought the nomination of the Mon as River of the Year. They plan to present public celebrations for the river in the future, she said.

“We are seeing a comeback of wildlife, including the bald eagle, and we want to celebrate this,” Van Tassle said. “We also want to continue to advocate for the Mon and continue to reduce pollution and increase recreation, striving for drinkable, swimmable, and fishable waters.”

In the coming year, the nonprofit plans to also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Clean Water Act. “The legislation has largely contributed to the cleaning of our waterways,” Van Tassle said.

As winner of River of the Year, the French Creek Valley Conservancy (FCVC) will receive a $10,000 Leadership Grant to help fund a slate of year-long 2022 River of the Year activities. Additionally, as part of the honor, French Creek will be the destination of a River of the Year paddling sojourn. The water-based journeys for canoeists, kayakers and others raise awareness of the environmental, recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers.

FCVC is a land trust dedicated to protecting the French Creek Watershed, which meanders 117 miles from its headwaters in southern New York through four Pennsylvania counties to the Allegheny River. French Creek is home to 27 species of freshwater mussels, more than 80 species of fish, and numerous waterfowl and songbird species, including bald eagles and four Audubon-designated Important Bird Areas.

FCVC protects more than 3,000 acres of land throughout the watershed, helping to conserve French Creek, its tributaries, critical riparian areas, and providing recreational access. FCVC manages French Creek as on the official Pennsylvania Water Trail and will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2022.

“We are delighted to have French Creek selected as Pennsylvania River of the Year,” said French Creek Valley Conservancy Executive Director Brenda Costa.