Road Closures – Amphibian Crossing
Every year, on the first, warm rainy nights of spring, thousands of frogs and salamanders migrate to their breeding wetlands in a phenomenon known as “Big Night.” Tonight could be a Big Night! To protect migrating amphibians as they make their way across local roads, the City of Keene will be closing portions of North Lincoln Street (closed to all traffic) and Jordan Road (closed to through-traffic) from approximately 7:00 PM tonight, Monday, March 16, 2026 until 7:00 AM tomorrow morning.
A few important details:
- Visitors are welcome at the North Lincoln Street amphibian crossing site, but due to safety and parking concerns on Jordan Road, we ask that only trained Salamander Crossing Brigade volunteers in proper safety attire attend the Jordan Road crossing.
- If you are planning to visit the North Lincoln Street crossing to observe the migration, dress for the weather and bring a flashlight for every member of your group. Cell phone flashlights are not bright enough.
- An important safety note: Cheshire County is under a Flood Watch and Wind Advisory tonight. Stay alert for flooded roads, and keep close watch on the wind. If there are dangerous wind gusts, please stay home and plan to come another night instead.
- Bringing kids? For your safety and the safety of the amphibians, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Big Nights are best suited for children in elementary school and up.
- If you’re driving, park in the southeast section of Woodland Cemetery, and enter the cemetery through the Beaver Street gates. (The Greenlawn Street gate is not recommended due to flooding concerns, and all other entrances will be closed to vehicles.) Please do not park on North Lincoln Street.
- Amphibian migrations take place after dark, in wet weather only. When North Lincoln Street is closed to traffic, a Harris Center naturalist will be on site from shortly after sunset until 10:00 PM – but only if it’s raining and wind conditions are safe.
For more information on the amphibian road closures in Keene, visit harriscenter.org/big-night-detours.
