The Delaware River is closed within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area until water levels recede far enough, the National Park Service announced May 9.
The closure includes the river itself and all access points. It will reopen after the river crests and then falls below 15 feet at the Montague, New Jersey, gauge.
As of 12:45 p.m. Friday, May 9, the water level was 11.97 feet, with a crest of 16.9 feet expected Saturday night, below flood stage.
Life jackets will be required until the water level drops below 8 feet.
More: Wayne and Pike counties are under a flood watch through Saturday morning
“Park rangers note that when the river rises to these levels, hazardous conditions increase. Higher river levels bring swifter and stronger currents, reduced visibility, colder water temperatures, increased sediment, and debris,” the National Park Service said. “Submerged trees and vegetation on shorelines and islands can catch vessels and people entrapping them in what rangers refer to as a ‘strainer.’ Swift water rescue operations in these conditions also become extremely dangerous for emergency responders.”
Kathryne Rubright is the managing editor of the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent. Reach her at krubright@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: NPS closes river in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area