MIDDLE SMITHFIELD, Pa. — Access to and travel on the Delaware River is now closed within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, possibly through the weekend, the National Park Service announced.
Faced with a heavy rainfall which began mid-day Thursday, officials said the river will rise above the action stage of 15 feet, meaning no activity on or near the river will be allowed and all access points to the river within the park will be closed.
According to the notice from the park issued at noon Thursday, along period of moderate to heavy rain is expected throughout the area, beginning Thursday afternoon and continuing into early Christmas morning.
“With the combination of high and frigid water, swift currents, increased debris, and slick banks, this is not the time to try out that new kayak or fishing gear you got for Christmas,” warnedRiver District Ranger Michael Macksoud.
“Conditions on and near the river, and around streams, will be extremely hazardous as water levels rise and fall, currents become dangerously fast, and debris is carried downstream,” he added.“For your safety, and the safety of rescue teams, it’s best to observe from a distance.”
Forecasters with the National Weather Serviceare expecting 1.5-3 inches of rain,with localized amounts up to 4 inchespossible.Strong winds with gusts of 40-50 mph could cause scattered power outages and downed trees as well.
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The combination of strong winds, high humidity and daytime temperatures, along with the heavy rainfall, will cause rapid snow melt and could lead to flash flooding on streams and in low-lying areas and in areas with poor drainage.
The storm is also forecast to drop nearly as much rain in parts of Pennsylvania and New York which were hit with up to fourfeet of snow last week. Those areas drain into the upper Delaware River which then flows downstream through the park.
There will be a swift rise in water levels within the Delaware River corridor over the next 36 hours.
Park regulations require the river corridor to beclosed when river levels reach 15 feet at the Montague gauge, or when conditions are hazardous.
The forecast is for the river to crest at 17.7 feet at the Montague gauge at 7 a.m. on Saturday.Flood state at the Montague gauge is 25 feet.
The river forecast at the Tocks Island gauge is expected to top 18 feet at that time as well. Flood stage there is 21 feet.
"River level predictions are subject to change and are being monitored closely by park staff," said park spokeswoman Kathleen Sandt..
Chief Ranger Eric Lisnik also said that driving around barriers blocking a flooded or closed road or attemptingto drive through flood waters is also dangerous and subject to citation.
In its advisories, the National Weather Service said it takes just 6 inches of fast-moving water to knock over an adult and just 12 inches of water to carry away most cars and itis never safe to drive or walk into flood waters.
Additionalflood safety information is available on the National Weather Service website:www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown.
River levels can be monitored through the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service website.
Updated information about the park and any impacts or road closures is available at: www.nps.gov/dewaor on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS.
