ABSTRACT

The recreation resource can change through site deterioration, over crowding, increased competition from nonon recreational uses, and, of course, visible deterioration in air and water quality. A recreation resource may be upgraded by the elimination or rehabilitation of the deteriorating effects. The "view or scenic quality" of the area was ranked as important by persons reporting river watching, picnicking on shore, hiking, bicycling, bird watching, sailing, and to some extent, canoeing. "Sandy beaches" was seen as an important site characteristic tor swimming, picnicking on shore, power boating, fishing from a boat, but not on shore, picnicking on river islands, water skiing, camping on river islands, and to some extent, bicycling. Although crowding may not be a visual characteristic, it appears that crowding is an important factor leading to the selection of alternate sites. A substantial increase in barge traffic will keep the water "stirred up" and increase the amount of bank erosion due to wave action.