Rural reservoir recreation impact: perceptions of knowledgeable leaders

Abstract

An increased interest in, and awareness of reservoir recreation, coupled with expanding construction, has resulted in the need for a better understanding of the recreational and socioeconomic impact of new reservoirs on individuals living in rural areas. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate, describe, and analyze, through perceptions of knowledgeable county leaders, the socioeconomic conditions and recreation behavior of rural residents following lake development. Specific objectives used to examine the socioeconomic conditions and recreation behavior were: (1) To identify changes in resident recreation activities before and after completion of the reservoir; (2) To establish, through interviews and surveys, a comparison base of the demographic and recreation use characteristics of the county and its residents; (3) To develop, through the opinions of knowledgeable county leaders, conclusions regarding the recreational, social, and economic impact of the reservoir upon the residents; (4) To obtain opinions concerning the attitudes of longtime residents toward newcomers and tourists in the county and determine how these non-residents influence resident recreation; (5) To describe a reference point in terms of the information necessary for individuals and rural county governments who anticipate the construction of a new reservoir located in or adjacent to that county. The area examined was Polk County, Texas, and the reservoir was Lake Livingston. ...