News Release

NPS to Close River Road on Select Evenings to Protect Breeding Amphibians

Date: March 9, 2021
Contact: Kathleen Sandt, 570-234-9144

NPS to Close River Road on Select Evenings to Protect Breeding Amphibians

BUSHKILL, PA: Motorists can expect River Road within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to be closed on several evenings in March and April to protect breeding amphibians. The trigger for the road closures will be forecasts calling for evening rain with mild temperatures. Since the amphibians are active principally at night and have completed their treks by dawn, the road will be closed at approximately 4:00 pm and will remain closed until approximately 6:30 am. 

Each year the National Park Service take steps to protect migrating amphibians by closing River Road in Middle Smithfield Township between park headquarters and Hialeah Picnic Area on several mild, rainy nights from March to mid-April. This closure allows vulnerable amphibians to crawl or hop from distances of a few hundred feet to sometimes more than a quarter mile to moist breeding pools without the risk of being crushed by vehicle tires.

For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area or updates on road closures call the Information Desk at [phone]; visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa; or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS. 
 

-NPS-

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 421 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.