Balancing Riparian Management and River Recreation in the Cedar River
Presentation Abstract
Riparian management in the Puget Sound lowland often includes placing large wood or retaining fallen logs to stabilize riverbanks and enhance salmon habitat. In addition to creating salmon habitat, this practice benefits humans by protecting infrastructure and natural resources, although it is unclear whether it may affect recreation users. We describe a project that scientifically estimated the number of river floaters, where they float in relationship to river projects and natural wood loading areas, the risks they take while floating, and their perceptions of large wood in the river. Selecting a high-use suburban river in Washington State, we used riverside observations, interviews, and an infrared counter to gather recreation data in the summer of 2010. Additionally, aerial photography was used to identify the locations of naturally recruited large wood. Statistical analyses provided general characteristics of users, trends in engaging in risky behaviors, and estimates of use for the entire season and on the busiest day. Data mapping with GIS presented both the the density wood and the density of recreation use along the river and frequency of use of specific float routes. Finally, qualitative analysis of interviews clarified the public’s opinion of large wood. We describe how this data was used in the 2011 to inform river management decisions.
Session Title
Session S-02H: Integrating the Social and Natural Sciences for Decision Making
Conference Track
Social Science Plus
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
30-4-2014 1:30 PM
End Date
30-4-2014 3:00 PM
Location
Room 607
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Riparian areas--Washington (State)--Cedar River (King County)--Management; Outdoor recreation--Washington (State)--Cedar River (King County); Stream restoration--Washington (State)--Cedar River (King County)
Geographic Coverage
Cedar River (King County, Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Balancing Riparian Management and River Recreation in the Cedar River
Room 607
Riparian management in the Puget Sound lowland often includes placing large wood or retaining fallen logs to stabilize riverbanks and enhance salmon habitat. In addition to creating salmon habitat, this practice benefits humans by protecting infrastructure and natural resources, although it is unclear whether it may affect recreation users. We describe a project that scientifically estimated the number of river floaters, where they float in relationship to river projects and natural wood loading areas, the risks they take while floating, and their perceptions of large wood in the river. Selecting a high-use suburban river in Washington State, we used riverside observations, interviews, and an infrared counter to gather recreation data in the summer of 2010. Additionally, aerial photography was used to identify the locations of naturally recruited large wood. Statistical analyses provided general characteristics of users, trends in engaging in risky behaviors, and estimates of use for the entire season and on the busiest day. Data mapping with GIS presented both the the density wood and the density of recreation use along the river and frequency of use of specific float routes. Finally, qualitative analysis of interviews clarified the public’s opinion of large wood. We describe how this data was used in the 2011 to inform river management decisions.
