The Study Methods section explains the mechanics of the 

 procedure-- the specific tasks completed to conduct the 

 inventory. The reader may wish to scan this section first 

 to see how the study elements fit together. 



The Project Evaluation section discusses the entire process, 

 suggesting possible refinements and updating procedures. The 

 section on Use Considerations then suggests appropriate and 

 inappropriate uses of the results. This is followed by a list of 

 project participants and their agency affiliations. 



Finally, the Appendices include supporting material such as 

 copies of important study correspondence, sample worksheets, and 

 instructions to study participants. 



CATEGORY DESCRIPTION 



Many physical, biological, social, and managerial characteristics 

 contribute to the recreational value of rivers. The type and ease 

 of public access, use levels, river length, type of scenery, 

 rapids, the presence of game fish and wildlife, level of 

 development, onsite management, and other aspects of the river 

 corridor help to determine the level and type of recreation 

 opportunity the river provides. 



Public tastes regarding these and other river attributes may 

 vary, so recreation managers recognize the importance of 

 providing a wide variety of different river recreation 

 opportunities. It is therefore not desirable to assign value to 

 specific river characteristics. 



For example, high use levels indicate a river's popular i t y--but 

 not necessarily the level of recreational quality. Rivers 

 receiving high use may simply be located closer to population 

 centers, or have easier access than other streams. Less-popular 

 river segments may provide better opportunities for solitude, or 

 river camping, which are also needed opportunities. 



The point is that many types of rivers can be valuable for 

 recreation; rivers with high use or easy access do not 

 necessarily have more intrinsic value, and the same is true 

 other recreational characteristics of rivers. 



for 



River segments were therefore categorized by several recreational 

 attributes, but value was not assigned strictly based on them; 

 categorization and valuation were distinct steps. No point system 

 was used to determine value classes; instead, managers and river 

 users suggested value classes based on their judgement. 



