Swollen Delaware to crest Friday

MONTAGUE, N.J. — Heavy rains over the last week have caused the Delaware River level to reach 9.61 feet at Montague, N.J., according to Kathleen Sandt, public information officer for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

It is predicted to rise to over 10.6 feet by 8 a.m. on Friday, June 14, which is about four to five vertical feet higher than normal for this time of the year.

Superintendent John J. Donahue is ordering everyone 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, issued at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, will remain in effect until the river level recedes to below 8 feet.

At higher levels, river conditions include large quantities of floating debris, very fast currents, decreased water temperatures, 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, Sandt said.