Feb 22, 2025 2 min read

Another year has gone by, and once again our Youghiogheny River has been edged out for Pennsylvania River of the Year, this time by fewer than 200 votes.

The Delaware River, a noble foe indeed, has many attributes that the Yough doesn’t; it has more depth, width, and flows into the large Delaware Bay. The lower section can support commercial ports, and recreational development throughout its length has a longer history than the Youghiogheny. Some portion of the Delaware touches four states, and each state has some vested interest in the river’s water.

My nephew lives within a couple miles of Washington’s Crossing, and we have visited several art colonies that have developed along the Delaware.

When we were last there, in summer heat, the river teemed with tubes and canoes, and tourism was in full view.

But the Youghiogheny cannot be sold short. It competes successfully for the resurgence of any national waterway, from a misused and polluted stream to a beautiful and healthy waterway. In its 134-mile run, it passes through pristine Laurel Mountain passages, a spectacular waterfall and nationally famous whitewater. The lower extremities increasingly provide canoeing, rafting and is lauded for bass and panfish angling.

The river course is accompanied by the nearly adjacent Great Allegheny Passage Trail. Towns and trail councils have worked tirelessly to expand and improve trail use and tourism for both the river and the trail.

Voting will start this year in December for the next “PA River of the Year.” It’s easy to get information on voting at pawatersheds.org/.

Congratulations, Delaware River, but next year we’re bringing the award to the Youghiogheny, where it belongs!

Roy W Hess Sr.

Roy W. Hess Jr.

Dawson