COOKSBURG, Pa. — The Clarion River is one of four waterways in Pennsylvania competing for 2019 river of the year.
Waterways nominated are the Clarion River, Conodoguinet Creek, Delaware River and Lackawanna River.
The Clarion River meanders through narrow valleys and hardwood forests in Clarion, Jefferson, Forest and Elk counties for 110 miles.
When selecting rivers, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources considered each waterway's conservation needs and successes.
John Straitiff, Executive Director of the PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, said the Clarion River is a scenic and recreational destination where people come to unplug from their busy lives.
“People usually come from about a three-hour drive and the most popular destination of where they come from tends to be Pittsburgh," Straitiff said. "They come from all over the eastern seaboard and quite frankly all over the world to experience the old growth timber and the river.”
MacBeth's Cabins is a fourth-generation business that has 30 log cabins along the Clarion River.
“Our guests here you can see them take their lawn chairs out and sit in the rive with their coolers, kids are playing in the water, they’re out in the kayaks, inner tubing and they’re just really taking advantage of what we have to offer in this area," said owner Mike MacBeth.
DCNR said the annual contest is much more than a popularity contest because it builds community support around the rivers and streams.
After a waterway receives the honor, local groups will put in place a year-round slate of activities and events to celebrate the river.
The organization nominating the winner river will receive a $10,000 grant from DCNR to help fund river of the year activities.
The public can vote for a favorite state waterway until Jan. 4.
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