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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaA visitor to the offices at Zion Church PA
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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Amphibians
Small dark salamander with yellow spots on its back
Spotted salamander crossing River Road near Headquarters, Bushkill PA.

The recreation area boasts 25 species of frogs, toads and salamanders which live or breed in the park's diverse aquatic and wetland habitats. Visitors may glimpse red-backed salamander, or perhaps the northern dusky salamander, under a rotting log. On rainy nights in late winter, look for wood frogs and spotted salamanders crossing roads on their way to breeding ponds. Later on, a deafening chorus of spring peepers announces spring's arrival. And with the coming of warmer weather and longer days, visitors to any of the park's lakes or ponds are sure to hear the bellow of the bullfrog.

 
A ranger taking a sample of water from a creek  

Did You Know?
... that the Middle Delaware River exceeds ordinary federal standards for clean water. Because of this, special higher standards have been set for the river, so it does not "deteriorate" to being just "clean enough." The river in this park is, and will remain, truly "cleaner than clean."
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Last Updated: November 02, 2007 at 13:08 EST