
The National Park Service said Friday that it is closing all access points in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area because of rising water levels on the Delaware River.
The river itself is also closed for all activities.
The NHS said the closure will be in effect until the river level at the gauge at Montague, New Jersey is below 15 feet. The river is expected to crest at 17 feet on Saturday night, but could rise higher depending on precipitation amounts and location.
Minor river flooding starts when the river is at 23 feet.
Park rangers said 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. Swift water rescue operations in these conditions also become extremely dangerous for emergency responders.
River levels can be monitored at Delaware River at Montague website.