From its pivotal role in George Washington’s daring Christmas Day crossing to its current status as a vital source of drinking water for millions, the Delaware River has earned a new accolade: Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year.
The designation is being awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Pennsylvania Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR).
The status recognizes the 330-mile-long river’s significance, ecological recovery, and recreational opportunities.
The Delaware River bested other contenders in a public vote and earned 2,962 of the 8,037 ballots cast.
The 2025 win marks the third time the river has claimed the title, previously winning in 2002 and 2011.
“The Delaware River is a conservation success story, and this designation is a testament to its historical, cultural, and recreational significance,” said Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “From providing drinking water to millions to fueling economic growth and offering outdoor recreation, the Delaware River is a shining example of how communities can work together to protect and restore vital natural resources.”
The river’s story is one of dramatic transformation. Once heavily polluted, its waters so contaminated that ship hulls darkened from the exposure, the Delaware River has undergone a remarkable revitalization. Today, it boasts more National Wild and Scenic designations than any other river.
“The River of the Year program is an opportunity to highlight the beauty, history, and ongoing conservation efforts surrounding Pennsylvania’s waterways,” said Janet Sweeney of POWR. “The Delaware River stands out not only for its role in American history but also for its transformation into a model of ecological restoration and stewardship.”
The river’s historical footprint has been key to American and the indigenous store. The waterway served as a crucial artery during the Revolutionary War, most famously as the site of Washington’s Christmas Day crossing in 1776, a turning point in the conflict. Later, it fueled the Industrial Revolution, and today, the Delaware River Port stands as the world’s largest freshwater port.
Beyond its historical and industrial significance, the Delaware River provides drinking water for more than 14 million people, stretching from New York City to Philadelphia. Approximately 14.2 million people rely on the Delaware River Basin waters, with roughly 6.4 billion gallons withdrawn daily, according the Delaware River Basin Commission.
The river is home to the popular Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, one of the top 20 most-visited national park areas in the country.
To celebrate the River of the Year designation, a series of events are planned, including a River of the Year Paddle in June.
The Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, which nominated the river, will receive a $15,000 Leadership Grant from the state and POWR to support these activities.
A commemorative poster will also be created to mark the river’s win.
“The Delaware River’s designation as Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year underscores the power of partnerships in conserving and celebrating this incredible waterway,” said Mark Zakutansky, of the Appalachian Mountain Club and chair of the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee. “As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Delaware River Sojourn in 2025, we invite everyone to experience its waters, learn about its history, and join the community dedicated to its preservation.”
The Delaware is the longest undammed U.S. river east of the Mississippi.
The tidally influenced section is known as the Delaware Estuary and stretches over 130 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to Trenton.
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