River Votes

This winning photo was captioned: "Two Bucks."

Congratulations Carol, whoever you are.

The votes are in and this shot, submitted by "Carol" from Pottstown, was the First Place winner in the "Wild and Scenic" category of the "Schuylkill Shots Photo Contest," put on by the Schuylkill Action Network.

The winning photos can be viewed on the organization's web page, or here on Flickr, or here on their Facebook page.

Here are few others I like:

Now if you're sorry you missed a chance to vote on your favorite river photo, and you should be faithful readers given that I have you a heads up in this Nov. 24 post, now is your chance to cast your vote the entire river.

Thanks to the same folks at the Schuylkill Action Network, I'm able to alert you to an ongoing vote for Pennsylvania's River of the Year

You can vote by clicking here.

This is the description for the Schuylkill Ballot:

The 128-mile Schuylkill River touches countryside and urban life as it flows from Pennsylvania’s Coal Region into the City of Philadelphia.

From the American Revolution, to the Industrial Revolution and Environmental Revolution, the Schuylkill has always played a central role in Pennsylvania’s story, and in Philadelphia’s growth as a city. What was a dead river in the mid-1900s is now home to more than 40 species of fish and a wide variety of other wildlife thanks to improved water treatment systems, watershed education programs and other cleanup measures.

Since 1992, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC) has worked in a public-private partnership, along with the City of Philadelphia, to coordinate, plan and implement economic, recreational, environmental and cultural improvements and tourism initiatives on the lower tidal Schuylkill River. Through the years, the City has acquired and reclaimed former industrial properties and brownfields along the Schuylkill, making it possible for SRDC to steadily transform this abandoned no-man’s land into a continuous greenway to be enjoyed by all.

The Schuylkill Banks greenway and connecting trails create a riparian buffer between the Schuylkill River and bordering sites, helping to manage stormwater runoff into the river and mitigate flooding during storms while providing an ideal spot for outdoor recreation.

If selected for River of the Year, SRDC will continue to offer basic and specialty kayak tours, including a half hour of training and an hour on the water. SRDC will also continue our annual outdoor movie series and other special events, including the Philly Fun Fishing Fest. SRDC is also working towards a new and improved educational “Secrets of the Schuylkill” riverboat tour series, as well as a riverboat tour to Bartram’s Garden—the country’s oldest botanic garden—within the coming year.

Our competition is paltry, laughable, inferior I say. Here's a look and edited versions of the state's descriptions.

The Kiskiminetas

The Kiskiminetas. What kind of name is that
for a self-respecting river?

The Kiskiminetas River is formed in Saltsburg by the confluence of the Conemaugh River and Loyalhanna Creek. It flows northwest in a meandering course past Avonmore, Apollo, and Leechburg to join the Allegheny River near Freeport

Eight boating access points have been installed to enable the public to use the rivers, and three liveries rent canoes and kayaks to thousands of people each year.

If selected for River of the Year, the StrongLand Chamber Foundation will do some of the “tried and true” programs as in the past, working with municipalities, historic societies and points-of-interest organizations. In addition the StrongLand Chamber will organize an environmental laboratory project to check and document the river’s clean-up. They also would plan to add river signage and produce an interpretive guide for the river to
help people from outside the region appreciate local history and points of interest, so that they will want to return to this great resource.

The Swartara 

The Swatara Creek flows for 72 miles through Schuylkill, Lebanon, and Dauphin Counties.

This one is practically a Schuylkill tributary, the key

word being "tribute."

Remnants of the 1791 Union Canal stretch 77 miles from Reading to Middletown along the Swatara, linking the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays through the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers. The north portal of the canal has been restored, preserving the oldest hand dug tunnel in the US for future visitors. 

With 25 years of experience, the Swatara Creek Watershed Association has a history of delivering on promises. The organization has a track record of successful river cleanups, river stakeholder convening, and public education events. The Swatara Creek Watershed Association has been instrumental in the creation and promotion of the Swatara Water Trail.

If selected for River of the Year, the Swatara Creek Watershed Association will organize a diverse series of events to highlight the creek. These include the annual sojourn, additional paddling opportunities, an art show highlighting the creek, and events associated with Lebanon County’s 200th anniversary and the role that the Swatara has played in history

The Juniata

The main stem of the Juniata River flows for 94 miles from the Borough of Huntingdon to the Susquehanna River near Amity Hall.

Sorry, this one just sounds boring.

While significant improvements have been made since baseline measurements in 2002, more work is still needed to meet pollution goals. The Juniata Clean Water Partnership (JCWP) has implemented projects such as installing streambank fencing, improving riparian buffers, and conducting education and outreach.

If selected for river of the year, the Juniata Clean Water Partnership and the Little Juniata River Association will plan a celebration of these rivers past and future recovery. In addition to the annual sojourn, these groups want to offer other opportunities for recreation on the water. Fields days with fly fishing instruction and biking excursions along a parallel rail-trail are in the works. A watershed summit will give groups and stakeholders an opportunity to hatch plans for future water quality improvements.

If selected for River of the Year, JCWP will host a 6 day sojourn on the river and plan festivals in the small towns along its banks. JCWP will partner with historical societies to promote the area’s history, especially the canal, railroad, and French and Indian War. Finally, JCWP will plan water related education to children of need to increase the awareness of the importance of clean water to the health of a community.

The Lackawana

The Lackawanna River is a 40.8-mile-long tributary of the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania in the United States. It flows through a region of the northern Pocono Mountains that was once a center of anthracite coal mining in the United States.

For years, the Lackawanna has been a neglected river. However, with the conservation efforts of Lackawanna County and other organizations, water quality and wildlife have returned.

Personally, I find the Lackawanna lacking

in what it takes to be a River of the Year,

But hey, that's just me.

The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority and the Rail Trail Council of Northeast PA (NEPA RTC) have worked to make the river a focal point of the communities it passes.

When complete the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail will connect with the Delaware & Hudson Rail-Trail to create a 70 mile long recreation trail along the Lackawanna River. Approximately 50 miles are open and more should be completed this spring.

If selected for River of the Year, Riverside Elementary WEST will partner with Lackawanna County, Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, and the Lackawanna River Corridor Association to showcase the river through the Great Riverside Cleanup, a sojourn paddling trip, a bike tour, and through topical lectures.

The Monongahela

The Monongahela River flows gracefully through the hills of the Allegheny Plateau in southwestern Pennsylvania and northcentral West Virginia for 129 miles from the confluence of the West Fork and Tygart Valley Rivers in Fairmont, West Virginia to meet with the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh.

I consider this the river to beat. After all people,

it's in Pittsburgh! Where's our Philly pride? We can't

let them win. It would be like the Pirates beating the Phillies.

The years of coal mines and steel mills took their toll on the river; however, the Mon has achieved improvements in water quality in recent decades, as evidenced in its increased recreational use. With an extensive lock and dam system still in use, this river is an example of both industrial and recreational purposes coexisting side by side.

The Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) is working to revitalize this former coal mining community by connecting the people to the river. With the help of a coalition of partners, BARC is spearheading the design and implementation of the Mid Mon River water trail map to promote recreational use of the Mid Mon River, and fill the gap between the existing Three Rivers and Upper Mon maps.

If selected for River of the Year, BARC will work with the River Town Program to host walking/paddling tours of the towns along the river to share the local stories of the growth, decline, and lasting environmental impacts of the industrial era on the river. BARC will work to extend a new welcome and way finding sign program to better promote the river. Existing river-related events that occur in the six communities participating in the Mon River Town Program will be coordinated to celebrate the River of the Year.