Pittsburgh’s three rivers – the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio – have been named the Commonwealth’s “2006 Rivers of the Year” by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources because of their role in spurring economic growth, shaping the city’s urban renewal, and providing more water-based recreation.

“The resurgence of these waterways has pumped new life and economic opportunities into the communities surrounding them,” said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. “These rivers once served as a lifeline to world-famous steel production, now they usher in a growing tourist and entertainment industry that lures diners and shoppers, boaters and anglers, and a host of other visitors.”

The annual “River of the Year” honors local residents, governments, non-profit and conservation organizations working to improve waterways and the quality of life in their watersheds across the state. Although it usually recognizes one river, DCNR elected to honor the three rivers given their interrelationship and their confluence at Pittsburgh.

“A national audience saw the many rewards of these waterways when the prestigious Bassmaster Classic came to town last July,” said DiBerardinis. “Viewers across the country learned that clean water can lead to excellent fishing and help a city be a vibrant place.”

With this year’s designation, the three rivers will be the subject of a Rivers Month poster that will be issued in June and an annual River Sojourn Aug. 10-12. A sojourn is a water-based journey designed to raise awareness of the environmental, recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers.

The Three Rivers Sojourn will feature three separate river activities to highlight each river. Tentative plans call for a canoe trip August 10, on the Allegheny River from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launch ramp in Hamar Township downriver to Pittsburgh; a canoe trip August 11, on the Monongahela River from McKeesport to Homestead; and a riverboat cruise on the Pittsburgh Voyager, August 12, in Pittsburgh.

All three sojourn activities are being coordinated by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Venture Outdoors, Pennsylvania Organizations for Watersheds & Rivers and DCNR.

For more information, visit DCNR’s Pennsylvania Rivers webpage and POWR’s Pennsylvania River Sojourns webpage.

NewsClips: Three Rivers DCNR Rivers of the Year

4/28/2006