On January 25, the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania has been selected by a public vote as the 2023 Pennsylvania River of the Year, announced Acting Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Janet Sweeney of the PA Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR).

“Through planned River of the Year celebrations, public awareness of the value of the North Branch of the Susquehanna River will be increased and major initiatives along this section of the river will be underscored,” Dunn said. “Economic revitalization of river-town communities will enhance access to the river; increase tourism; and provide additional land and water-based recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors alike.”

Flowing from the New York state line to Sunbury near Shikellamy State Park at the confluence with the Susquehanna River West Branch, the Susquehanna River North Branch meanders through eight Pennsylvania counties including Susquehanna, Bradford, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland.

A water trail, the Susquehanna River North Branch is widely used by paddlers, anglers, recreational boaters, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Recreationalists enjoy the calm, class-I waters which serve as both a playground for experienced boaters to explore the area’s natural and historic offerings, as well as a learning ground for new paddlers to develop their skills.

In addition to the paddling opportunities, visitors are surrounded by abundant history.

These historic connections earned the water trail a “National Recreation Trail” designation by the National Park Service in 2009 as part of the larger Captain John Smith National Historic Trail system; a recreation trail that celebrates the exchange of goods and cultures between the early, famed explorer of the Chesapeake Bay and the native peoples of the Susquehanna River basin.

The public was invited to vote online for the River of the Year, choosing from among four waterways nominated.

A total of 11,438 votes were cast, with Susquehanna River North Branch receiving 4,098; the Perkiomen Creek 3,110; Conestoga River 2,490; and Schuylkill River 1,740.

“POWR would like to commend everyone for their support for the nominated rivers, especially for the strong showing of support for the Susquehanna River North Branch,” Sweeney said. “The River of the Year 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. We are excited about the opportunity to highlight the Susquehanna River North Branch."

The Endless Mountains Heritage Region, which nominated the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, will receive a $10,000 Leadership Grant to help fund a slate of year-long 2023 River of the Year activities.

DCNR and POWR will work with the region to create a free, commemorative poster celebrating the North Branch as the 2023 Pennsylvania River of the Year.

“We nominated the North Branch in the hopes of receiving this prestigious designation in conjunction with our organization’s 25th anniversary in 2023 and now that we have it, we couldn’t be more excited,” said Cain Chamberlin, Executive Director of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region.  “We have an array of river paddles and sojourns planned for this year as well as other outdoor recreation related events that will meld perfectly with our management of the water trail. We’re committed to educating the public about paddling safety and encouraging everyone to be responsible stewards for the Susquehanna and its abundant tributaries.”

Cain thanked the co-manager for the North Branch, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, for its help in submitting the nomination and promoting the public voting portion of the contest, as well as the many water trail managers along this section of the river.

In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices was overseen by the POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

A commemorative River of the Year sojourn is among many paddling trips supported by DCNR and POWR each year.

An independent program, the Pennsylvania Sojourn Program, is a unique series of a dozen such trips on the state’s rivers. These water-based journeys for canoeists, kayakers and others raise awareness of the environmental, recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers.

Visit DCNR’s Rivers Conservation webpage to learn more about protecting and enhancing Pennsylvania’s waterways.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

NewsClips:

-- Scranton Times: Susquehanna River’s North Branch Named 2023 River Of The Year

-- Wilkes-Barre Times: North Branch Susquehanna River Takes Top Honors In Statewide Vote

-- Spotlight PA-Stephen Caruso: Gov. Shapiro on banning new leases for oil & gas drilling in state parks/forests: "At this time, we have no plans to change that."

-- Spotlight PA: How Communities In Northcentral PA Are Attempting To Preserve A Scarce Resource - Darkness [Includes Natural Gas Flaring]

-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill River Greenways Assn. Receives DCNR Grant Toward Schuylkill River Trail Work

-- NextPittsburgh: Embrace Winter On The Allegheny Front At Black Moshannon State Park, Clearfield County

-- Erie Times: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Eagle Nesting Season On Presque Isle State Park

-- Philly Voice: Greening Vacant Lots In Philly Raised Surrounding Property Values By 4.3% In First Year, Wharton Business School Study Finds

-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Hosts March 9 Online Program About Protecting Your Land With A Conservation Easement.  5:15 to 6:15 p.m.

-- Vista.Today: 2 West Chester Residents Win PA Parks & Forests Photo Contest

Related Articles - DCNR:

-- DCNR: Susquehanna River North Branch Named 2023 Pennsylvania River Of The Year  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Blog: A Landscape Approach To Conservation, Creating Economic Opportunity; New Video Released  [PaEN]

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[Posted: January 25, 2023]

1/30/2023