Butler County has two waterways in the running for the state's 2020 River of the Year Award.

Buffalo Creek was nominated by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and Connoquenessing Creek was submitted by Allegheny Aquatic Alliance. The waterways were selected along with Brandywine Creek, southeastern Pennsylvania; Lackawanna River, northeastern Pennsylvania; and Ohio River, which runs through Pittsburgh.

Chris Ziegler, president of the Butler-Freeport Trail, said having two waterways nominated gives some good exposure for the streams and the county.

“That's a pretty good place to be,” she said.

Online voting for the award started Monday and lasts until Jan. 17. The selection process is overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

“It is really great to see how engaged people are in campaigning for their local rivers and creeks through this unique voting opportunity for residents across the commonwealth,” said the affiliate's director, Janet Sweeney.

Presented annually since 1983, the 2019 designation was awarded to the Clarion River.

Terry Brady, press secretary for DCNR, said that not only rivers qualify for the award, despite the name.

“The qualification is that it's a moving waterway that is enjoyed by a large number of people,” he said.

Ziegler said toward the end of the trail, the path crosses over Buffalo Creek at multiple points — and about four years ago, volunteers built a bridge near Father Marinaro Park that crosses Coal Run, a tributary of Connoquenessing Creek.

“Water quality in both has improved exponentially, especially in Buffalo Creek,” Ziegler said.

Ziegler said she is familiar with both Buffalo Creek and Connoquenessing Creek, but has recently spent more time at the former.

“I grew up in Connoquenessing, so it has a special place in my heart, but I see the beauty of Buffalo Creek every day,” she said.

She said the cleanliness of Buffalo Creek has attracted more fish and larger birds. She said the creek recently has seen blue heron and eagles returning to the waterway.

“The cleaner the water, the more fish there are; otherwise, (predatory birds are) going to feed somewhere else,” Ziegler said.

She said Buffalo Creek has a number of special qualities, including waterfalls that can freeze in the winter to produce pleasant and fresh views of the waterway.

“You'll see some really nice things during the wintertime,” she said.

After a waterway is chosen, a $10,000 leadership grant is awarded to the nominating organization to go toward celebration activities, including a paddling trip or sojourn.

“Regardless of the outcome, this competition builds community support around our rivers and streams, putting them in the public limelight,” Dunn said. “This annual undertaking is much more than a public vote gauging popularity of Pennsylvania waterways. All have truly unique attributes; offer incredible recreational opportunities; and bring significant boosts to local economies.”

Representatives from Allegheny Aquatic Alliance and the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania could not be reached for comment on Monday.