Monongahela River among 4 nominees for Pennsylvania River of the Year

The Monongahela River — one of the most polluted rivers in the country more than 50 years ago — is among four nominees for Pennsylvania River of the Year for 2022.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) sponsors the annual competition.

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) oversees the selection of the nominees.

The public determines the winner by voting online. Voting began this week and continues through 5 p.m., Jan. 14. Ballots are cast on POWR’s website.

The Monongahela River is competing for the honor with two other rivers in Western Pennsylvania: Connoquenessing Creek in Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties, and French Creek in northwest Pennsylvania, running through Meadville. The fourth nominee is the Catawissa Creek in the eastern part of the state.

“The value of our waterways has shined brighter than ever during this pandemic as people have visited Pennsylvania’s river and streams in unprecedented numbers seeking the natural refuge they supply,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

“This competition shares those wonderful attributes and helps build community support around our rivers and streams, showing just how much they have to offer to the public,” she said.

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.

“Before the collapse of the steel industry and the Clean Water Act, the Monongahela was one of the most polluted rivers in the United States,” said Heather Hulton VanTassel, of West View, executive director of the Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a nonprofit that advocates scientifically and legally for cleaner waters in the Pittsburgh region.

Three Rivers Waterkeeper organization advocated for the Monongahela to be a nominee for River of the Year to DCNR.

“The river has drastically improved and we’ve seen a comeback of fish and wildlife,” she said. “But we still have a long way to go.

“If we win, we can do outreach and celebrate how far the Monongahela has come and where we want to bring it in the future.”

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. The Mon is one of a few major rivers in North America that flow from south to north, instead of north to south.

“Oftentimes when you think of Pittsburgh, you think of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers,” VanTassel noted. “The Mon is not the first river that comes to people’s minds.”

Although today the Mon is a popular destination for fishing, boating and outdoor recreation, the waterway still faces pollution from a variety of sources, including agriculture and industry.

Another nominee, Connoquenessing Creek, is also recovering from pollution caused by illegal dumping and industrial waste.

“Much time and effort have been made to restore this creek back to its beautiful, natural state,” according to the DCNR nominee description.

The creek winds through the countryside then widens into a flat scenic waterway. However, a section passes through a gorge creating class II, III, and IV whitewater rapids, according to DCNR.

French Creek, designated as one of The Nature Conservancy’s “Last Great Places,” is largely unspoiled by development and popular for paddling, fishing, swimming and other recreation.

“Renowned for its biodiversity, French Creek hosts more species than most any waterway of its size in the United States,” according to DCNR.

The creek boasts 27 species of freshwater mussels, more than 80 species of fish, numerous bird species, the Eastern hellbender — the largest species of salamander in North America, and more.