Bushkill. NPS to close River Road on select evenings to protect breeding amphibians

Motorists can expect River Road within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to be closed on several evenings between now and mid-April to protect breeding amphibians.

The trigger for the road closures will be forecasts calling for evening rain with mild temperatures.

Because the amphibians are active principally at night and have completed their treks by dawn, the road will be closed at approximately 6 p.m. and will remain closed until approximately 6:30 a.m.

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 spring nights.

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 information about the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area visit www.nps.gov/dewa or call the information desk at (570) 426-2452.