Celebrating 2021’s River of the Year

On June 19th, paddlers gathered at Riverside Park in Greenville, PA to celebrate the Shenango River as 2021’s River of the Year. The sojourn was hosted by the nominating organization, the Shenango River Watchers.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources works in partnership with PEC and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) to organize the River of the Year awards and accompanying events. The winner is chosen through a public voting process, and this year — for the first time ever — voters chose the Shenango.

“It’s remarkable that the little Shenango beat out some of the big eastern Rivers. It just speaks to the spirit and caring they have for their river,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

It’s not a very big river, it’s not a very well-known river, but it’s a very well-loved river.

Other nominated rivers included the Buffalo Creek, Lehigh River, Loyalhanna Creek and Tunkhannock Creek.

“It’s not a very big river, it’s not a very well-known river, but it’s a very well-loved river,” said Shenango River Watchers President Brandi Baros.

In addition to being honored with the River of the Year award, the Shenango River Watchers is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. They will hold their Fall Paddle Fest on the Shenango on October 9th at Pymatuning State Park.