The Conestoga is Pennsylvania's River of the Year. The Conestoga is Lancaster County's river of a lifetime.

"In so many ways, the health of the Conestoga River is a reflection of the health of those who live in the watershed, and vice versa," said Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck, executive director of the Conestoga River Club (CRC). "I don't doubt that many people are aware, but there are still many who have little idea of the importance of the river - they drive on bridges that go over the river at so many locations in the city, but the Conestoga River is hidden in plain sight for so many people.

"Our desire, as the Conestoga River Club, is to bring the river to the awareness of the community, and to provide opportunities to bring community members to the water so they can develop a personal relationship with her," continued Clatterbuck. "We cannot love and steward well what we do not know."

Recently, the Conestoga River was named Pennsylvania's River of the Year for 2026 by the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR). The announcement was made during a formal ceremony at Lancaster Central Park, where local and state dignitaries spoke and the Conestoga's River of the Year poster was revealed.

"The Conestoga River is vital to the health of Lancaster city," said Lancaster mayor Jaime Arroyo. "From providing drinking water to recreation opportunities, we are fortunate to have this indispensable resource in our backyard."

Through a submission to POWR and DCNR, CRC nominated the Conestoga River as Pennsylvania's River of the Year. Once on the ballot, CRC collaborated with other area agencies like Lancaster Conservancy, Alliance for the Chesapeake and Clean Water Partners to promote the campaign and secure the votes necessary for victory.

"I think this year one of my favorite things about the Conestoga River is that we've been seeing a lot of Baltimore Orioles," said Clatterbuck. "They didn't used to nest in this area. Besides that, I like the life we see when we're on the water - the green egrets, great blue herons, bald eagles, sliders and snapping turtles, carp and the deer that come to the water to drink and wade in the waters to cool themselves down from the summer heat. I just like all of the life along the river."

The 72-mile Conestoga River enters Lancaster County at Brownstown in the east and exits the locale at Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna River in the west. The city of Lancaster derives 40% of its drinking water from the Conestoga River.

"We all contribute to the health or unhealth of our watersheds," said Clatterbuck, a resident of Holtwood. "It is true; we all live downstream. So, think about what trash you put on the ground, what pollutants you spray on your yard, what you flush down the toilet. Studies have shown that being outside for 20 minutes a day can decrease anxiety and stress, so getting out on the river - whether on the banks, in a boat or wading in the water - can help maintain a more balanced and physically and mentally healthy life."

For additional information, go to https://conestogariverclub.org.