Ice chunks float down the Allegheny River in Foxburg on Monday, Jan. 22. Kyle Prudhomme/Butler Eagle

Kyle Prudhomme

The Allegheny River has been voted the state’s 2024 River of the Year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced.

Three Rivers Waterkeeper, the nonprofit which nominated the river for the competition, will receive a $10,000 grant.

“Congratulations to Three Rivers Waterkeeper for the successful campaign and earning this prestigious honor,” DCNR secretary Cindy Dunn said Monday. “Thank you to everyone who voted in this wonderful competition highlighting one of our most precious natural resources.”

Pennsylvania’s River of the Year is decided by a public vote online. Allegheny River received 8,307 of 20,259 votes, narrowly beating out nearby Youghiogheny River, which received 7,212. Lackawaxen River in northeastern Pennsylvania came in third with 4,740 votes.