Masters Theses

Date of Award

6-1981

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Forestry

Major Professor

William E. Hammitt

Committee Members

Kent D. Van Liere, Robert H. Orr

Abstract

The popularity of inner tube floating and non-whitewater rafting is rapidly increasing in the Southern Appalachian region. Due to the relatively recent demand for these activities, along with an inadequate data base to assist resource managers in decision making, several resource management concerns have developed: (1) lack of user characteristic information, (2) reasons for participation, (3) safety and risk behavior, and (4) social carrying capacity. In response to these management concerns, this study was designed to generate some of the necessary information needed by resource managers in determining management strategies concerning tubing and non-whitewater rafting. Information needs identified were: (1) social conflicts and pro-cesses, (2) user behavior, and (3) safety attitudes and perceptions. Over 1,100 floaters were surveyed in August 1979 on 3 rivers in the Southern Appalachian region. Inner tube floaters were surveyed on Hiwassee River and Deep Creek, while non-whitewater rafters were surveyed on the Chattahoochee River. Of those 1,102 surveyed on-site, 410 inner tube floaters and 151 non-whitewater rafters completed and returned a 15-page questionnaire. Due to the response rate received for the mail questionnaire (50%), attempts to collect information on nonrespondents and reluctant respondents were conducted. The results indicate the sample, though only approximately 50% of the survey population, is representative of that population. Inner tube and non-whitewater raft floaters were mainly young and middle-age adults, slightly more males than females, well educated (with exception of a fairly large percentage still in school), and those employed tended to be in a professional, technical, or adminis-trative occupation. Use at the Hiwassee and Chattahoochee Rivers was primarily by local residents, while Deep Creek users traveled a substantial distance to the stream. A majority of all floaters were newcomers to tubing or rafting. Over three-fourths of the floaters had 5 years or less experience, with many of the visitors first season participants. Floaters preferred the months of July and August as the 2 best months for floating. Furthermore, a starting time of noon or before was highly preferred. The floating trip length averaged from 2-1/2 hours to 3-1/2 hours. Users at the Hiwassee were more likely to be with an organized group or friends. Deep Creek users were most likely to be with family members or friends and family. Chattahoochee users were usually with friends. Group size tended to be greatest for Hiwassee users. A majority of floaters felt that floating would increase over the next 10 to 20 years. Also, nearly 94% of the users plan to return for another floating trip. Twenty-eight reasons for participating in tubing or rafting were rated by respondents for importance. Reasons relating to social experience were rated highest. Factor analysis produced 5 motive factors: Affiliation, Experiencing Nature, Action/Excitement, Skill Development, and Solitude. Affiliation ranked most important. Experiencing Nature was second, followed by Action/Excitement. Least important were Skill Development and Solitude. User perceptions of possible stream dangers, precautions taken, and preference for safety controls by management were expressed by inner tube floaters. Few floaters perceived the potential stream dangers as very dangerous, and accordingly, few safety precautions were taken by the floaters; however, the majority of users did support many of the management controls aimed at floater safety. The notion that social carrying capacity can be adequately evaluated based upon visitor satisfaction appears to be unjustified. Visitor satisfaction is a complex concept composed of many dimensions. Crowding is one of those dimensions. Satisfaction-based models for social carrying capacity seem to be a poor indication of crowding. An alternative model, a crowding-based model, was analyzed for evaluating social carrying capacity. Nearly half of the variance in perceived crowding was accounted for by use level, visual encounters, use expectations, and feelings.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS