Reservoir Recreation Analysis: The Effect of Reservoir Management Agency on Recreation Participation

Abstract

Dams and reservoirs are created to provide flood control, water storage for irrigation and water supply, recreation, and hydroelectric generation. Most US reservoirs provide recreation in some form. However, there are concerns that certain reservoir/dam managers do a better job in providing recreation than others. Some agencies that manage land riparian to US reservoirs, such as the National Park Service (NPS), are dedicated to recreation development. Other agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) might not be interested in catering to the additional demands of recreators as a stakeholder group. Management actions such as boat access, waterfront land, campsite management, safety, aesthetics, and water levels have direct and indirect effects on anglers, swimmers, boaters, and other recreators. The objective of this study is to analyze recreation participation for different reservoirs based on different management agencies due to the fact these agencies have different institutional objectives.