TIRE HILL —
Ian Smith drove from Pittsburgh on Saturday to teach people how to surf the Stonycreek River.
Members of SurfSUp Adventures, a stand-up paddle boarding group, arrived with seven surf boards and paddles.
“We’re out here doing a river surfing demo,” he said. “What better way to celebrate the river of the year?”
The Stonycreek, which flows through Cambria and Somerset counties, was named Pennsylvania’s River of the year for 2012 by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the state Organization for Watersheds and Rivers.
The river was chosen by online voters for its near wilderness, trout waters and nationally acclaimed whitewater adventures, supporters said.
“The designation of this river is a testament to the tremendous commitment of local volunteers, local governments and state agencies,” said Lauren Imgrund, spokeswoman for DCNR.
She spoke during the opening ceremony hosted by Skip Picking, president of Stonycreek Quemahoning Initiative.
The River of the Year celebration continued throughout the day at Greenhouse Park.
Water lovers on Saturday took part in whitewater rafting, tubing, kayaking and paddle boarding while enjoying live music and food.
There were displays by area conservation groups and campers stretched out on the green grass. A release of water from the Quemahoning Dam is expected today.
By installing a valve in the dam, water flows at the rate of 500 cubic feet per second for water sports.
Joe Kantoski arrived from Altoona with his 11-year-old son, Quintin Helsel, and three others.
“We’re going tubing,” Kantoski said. “I wanted to try it, so we came out. It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon.”
The river, which meanders for 46 miles over the Allegheny Plateau and joins the Conemaugh River at Johnstown, has rebounded from the deadly effects of abandoned mine drainage.
The river cleanup efforts began more than 20 years ago.
During that time, Imgrund said she met with volunteers of the Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project (SCRIP).
SCRIP members explained their vision to reclaim the river and turn it into a destination for paddlers, bicyclists and businesses interested in the outdoors, she said.
“I was skeptical,” Imgrund said. “Boy was I wrong. I didn’t expect it to turn into what it is today.”
Others were uncertain as well, SCRIP Chairman Len Lichvar said.
“Some people scoffed,” he said. “I knew if we could pull it off we could increase water quality, tourism, recreation, improve economic vitality, provide clean drinking water and control our own destiny as far as water resources are concerned.”
Lichvar cautioned that much work needs to be done.
“There are still dead zones, significant pollution from sediment and acid mine drainage,” he said. “There are only a few volunteers and even (fewer) professionals and very little money standing between keeping this watershed in its current condition or having a complete reversal of fortune nobody wants to see.”
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