Due to heavy rainfall, the Delaware River level is several vertical feet higher than normal for this time of the year.

Superintendent John J. Donahue requires all individuals to wear a proper fitting, United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) in good and serviceable condition while on board any vessel on the waters of the Delaware River within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This order will be effective once the river level as measured at the Montague gauge reaches 8 feet, and will remain in effect until the river level recedes below 8 feet.

At higher levels, river conditions include large quantities of floating debris, very swift currents, decreased water temperature and increased hydraulic hazards in rapids and near bridge pilings, as well as increased hazards associated with downed trees and submerged obstacles near the shoreline.

It is highly recommended that only very experienced boaters using proper equipment consider a river trip during this period of high water.

(YWN Catskills Newsroom)