1999/2000 RECREATIONAL USE ASSESSMENT STUDY REPORT

Final

ROCKY REACH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC Project No. 2145

March 2, 2001

Prepared for: Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County Wenatchee, Washington

Prepared by: Howe Consulting, Inc. Seattle, Washington and Duke Engineering & Services, Inc. Bothell, Washington

Recreational Use Assessment

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION...... 1-1 1.1 Background...... 1-1 1.2 Project Location...... 1-1 1.3 The Columbia River...... 1-3 1.4 Physical Setting...... 1-3 1.5 Climate...... 1-3 1.6 Regional Economy...... 1-3 1.7 Regional Population...... 1-3 1.8 Current Land Use...... 1-4 1.9 Current Recreational Development...... 1-4

SECTION 2: STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 2-1

SECTION 3: STUDY AREA ...... 3-1

SECTION 4: METHODOLOGY...... 4-1 4.1 Secondary Data ...... 4-1 4.2 Instantaneous Counts by Car (Car Runs) ...... 4-1 4.3 Instantaneous Counts by Boat (Boat Runs)...... 4-2 4.4 On-site Interviews ...... 4-2 4.5 Entiat Park and USFS Surveys...... 4-3

SECTION 5: RESULTS...... 5-1 5.1 Estimates of Use at Public Recreation Sites...... 5-1 5.2 Recreation Use on Rocky Reach Reservoir (Lake Entiat)...... 5-43 5.3 Visitor Demographics ...... 5-55 5.4 Visitor Satisfaction...... 5-58 5.5 Visitor Spending ...... 5-61 5.6 How Long Visitors Stay...... 5-62 5.7 How Often People Visit Rocky Reach Project Area ...... 5-62 5.8 Recreation Use Related to Day, Season, and Weather...... 5-62 5.9 Displaced Use and Relationship with Upper Entiat Valley USFS sites ...... 5-64

SECTION 6: SUMMARY...... 6-1 6.1 Monitoring Overview...... 6-1 6.2 Distribution of Recreation Use...... 6-1 6.3 Estimated use versus Estimated Physical Capacity ...... 6-1 6.4 Activities...... 6-2 6.5 Watercraft Use ...... 6-2 6.6 Dispersed Shoreline Use ...... 6-2 6.7 Angling Activity...... 6-2 6.8 Visitor Demographics ...... 6-2 6.9 Visitor Spending ...... 6-3 6.10 Visitor Satisfaction...... 6-3 6.11 Displaced Use ...... 6-3 6.12 Conclusion ...... 6-3

SECTION 7: REFERENCES...... 7-1

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1-1: Historical Overview of Recreation Developments...... 1-5 Table 5-1: Rocky Reach Project Visitor Counts - Based on Traffic Counters1...... 5-2 Table 5-2: Estimated Average Daily Use (Peak-Season - May 30 to September 9, 1999)...... 5-5 Table 5-3: Estimated Average Daily Use (Off-Season) ...... 5-6 Table 5-4: Estimated Average Daily Use by Activity at Public Recreation Sites ...... 5-43 Table 5-5: Average # of Peak-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekdays) ...... 5-45 Table 5-6: Average # of Peak-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekends) ...... 5-46 Table 5-7: Watercraft Observed During Busiest Observation Day (July 2, 2000)...... 5-47 Table 5-8: Fall-Season (1999) Watercraft Observed (Weekend)...... 5-48 Table 5-9: Spring-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekday) ...... 5-49 Table 5-10: Spring-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekend) ...... 5-49 Table 5-11: Average # of Watercraft Observed (Peak-Weekdays) vs. Recommended Standards ...... 5-50 Table 5-12: Average # of Watercraft Observed (Peak-Weekends) vs. Recommended Standards ...... 5-51 Table 5-13: Watercraft Observed During Busiest Observation Day (July 2, 2000) vs. Recommended Standards .. 5-51 Table 5-14: Peak-Season (2000) Shoreline Activity (Weekdays and Weekends)...... 5-53 Table 5-15: Displaced Use - Recreation Site Interviews...... 5-65 Table 5-16: Displaced Use - Entiat Park Surveys ...... 5-67 Table 5-17: Displaced Use - USFS Campground Surveys...... 5-68

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1: Project Location Map...... 1-2 Figure 5-1: Distribution of Use - Peak-Season...... 5-33 Figure 5-2: Distribution of Use - Fall-Season ...... 5-33 Figure 5-3: Distribution of Use - Spring-Season...... 5-34 Figure 5-4: Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity - Peak-Season...... 5-35 Figure 5-5: Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity - Fall-Season ...... 5-35 Figure 5-6: Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity – Spring-Season ...... 5-36 Figure 5-7: Site Utilization Based on Seasonal Averages...... 5-38 Figure 5-8: Primary Activity at Recreation Sites...... 5-39 Figure 5-9: Most Popular of All Activities...... 5-40 Figure 5-10: Car Runs – Activity Observations Peak-Season...... 5-41 Figure 5-11: Car Runs – Activity Observations Fall-Season...... 5-41 Figure 5-12: Car Runs – Activity Observations Spring-Season ...... 5-42 Figure 5-13: Where Peak-Season Respondents are From – All Sites...... 5-56 Figure 5-14: Where Fall-Season Visitors are From – All Sites...... 5-57 Figure 5-15: Where Spring-Season Visitors are From – All Sites...... 5-57 Figure 5-16: Recreation Site Rating...... 5-58 Figure 5-17: Rocky Reach Recreation Sites - Comments...... 5-59 Figure 5-18: Primary Activity Rating...... 5-60 Figure 5-19: Activity Comments...... 5-61 Figure 5-20: Rocky Reach Recreation Sites – Daily Visitor Use...... 5-63 Figure 5-21: Rocky Reach Recreation Sites – Seasonal Visitor Use...... 5-63 Figure 5-22: Seasonal Visitor Use/Recreation Site ...... 5-64

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: FIELD WORK CALENDAR

APPENDIX B: CAR RUN FIELD DATA COLLECTION FORMS

APPENDIX C: BOAT RUN FIELD DATA COLLECTION FORMS

APPENDIX D: ON-SITE INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX E: ENTIAT PARK SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX F: USFS CAMPGROUND SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

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Recreational Use Assessment

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background The Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County (Chelan PUD) owns and operates the Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project (Project). Chelan PUD is permitted to operate the Project according to terms and conditions contained in an existing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license, No. 2145, that was issued on July 12, 1956. On September 1, 1966, the Chelan PUD filed an application with the Federal Power Commission (FPC) to amend the Project license for the addition of four generating units. The FPC, later FERC, issued the license amendment on May 23, 1968. The existing license expires on June 30, 2006.

Chelan PUD intends to seek a new federal license to operate the Rocky Reach Project and has begun preparation for the process referred to as “relicensing.” The FERC relicensing process is based on laws and regulations that require years of extensive planning, including environmental studies, agency consensus and public involvement. The process to obtain a new license has changed considerably since the existing licensee was issued in 1956. The Federal Power Act (FPA) was amended in 1986 by the Electric Consumers Protection Act (ECPA). The amendment requires the FERC, in addition to power and development purposes, to give equal consideration to the purposes of enhancement of fish and wildlife, the protection of recreational opportunities, and the preservation of other aspects of environmental quality.

Numerous studies are being conducted as part of the relicensing efforts. As part of the relicensing efforts, data was collected on recreation use in the Project area during the summer and fall of 1999 and the spring and summer of 2000. This Recreation Use Assessment Study Report provides the results of these data collection efforts. Ultimately information from this Recreation use Assessment will be used as input to develop a Comprehensive Recreation Plan for the Rocky Reach Project.

1.2 Project Location The Rocky Reach Project is located in Chelan County approximately seven miles north of the city of Wenatchee on the Columbia River in mid-Washington State. The dam is 215 river miles below the Canadian border and 473 river miles above the mouth of the Columbia River at Astoria, Oregon (Figure 1-1).

The Rocky Reach Project reservoir, also known as Lake Entiat, extends upriver 43 miles (to Wells Dam) and has a surface area of approximately 9,100 acres. The reservoir contains 36,400 acre-feet of usable storage. The mid-line of the reservoir forms the boundary between Chelan County on the west and Douglas County on the east. The drainage area of the project at the dam is about 90,000 square miles. The watershed lies east of the Cascade Mountains and West of the Rocky Mountains, consisting of parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. The normal headwater elevation is 707 feet above sea level. The normal tailwater elevation is 614.7 feet above sea level. The average annual minimum water temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit normally occurs during the month of February. The average annual maximum water temperature of 65°F occurs during the months of August and September.

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 1-1 SS/2434 1720000 1740000 1760000 1780000 1800000 1820000 1840000 1860000 1880000 1900000 FIGURE 1-1

PROJECT LOCATION MAP W± ELLS DAM ROCKY REACH HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT A n on to /(97 Ske ny in let Ca e on C PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 re 340000 e 340000 k CHELAN COUNTY WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON

FERC PROJECT NO. 2145 JULY 07, 1999

Lo ng D r aw 320000 320000 /(97 Rocky Reach L H ° ak D en Project e C ra d he 150 w ric lan #Æ CHELAN k C s I-90 # Wenatchee o ,-. # r ra ek C l Cre h e la n R i ve 300000 r 300000 97A H Beebe Bridge /( o $T n m Park yo e CHELAN FALLS an s #$T C t e m Chelan Falls Park a a nh d ar

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O a k n la h y o o m n LEGEND a G ul 280000 B ch 280000 yrd /(97 G PROJECT BOUNDARY C r M an e ck yo e in n n US HIGHWAY st s ry C C an yo a n n STATE HIGHWAY y o n TRIBUTARIES

± PROJECT BOUNDARY STATE OF WASHINGTON 260000 $T Daroga State Park 260000 BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT n o y n a US FOREST SERVICE C e in P ENTIAT CITY / TOWN # Entiat River # $TEntiat Park PARKS / RECREATION SITES T$ WATERVILLE 240000 $TOrondo Park # 240000 /(2

nyon 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 ley Ca Corba anyon Spencer C #ORONDO Miles

r 1:200,000 Tenas G e v e i o 220000 220000 R N rg a e i C b a m n u y l o o n C

Sw a ka ne C r ee 200000 k 200000

$T ± Lincoln Rock State Park

ROCKY REACH DAM ± PROJECT BOUNDARY TO WENATCHEE ±

1720000 1740000 1760000 1780000 1800000 1820000 1840000 1860000 1880000 1900000 Recreational Use Assessment

1.3 The Columbia River The Columbia River begins in icefields of the Arrow Lakes region of British Columbia and enters Washington in the northeast corner of the state, flowing south and west 145 miles through Lake Roosevelt to Grand Coulee Dam. The river continues west through Chief Joseph Dam into the Wells Reservoir where it again turns south and enters Rocky Reach Reservoir (Lake Entiat). The river continues on through a series of other dams, eventually flowing west to the Pacific Ocean. There are 11 dams on the main stem of the Columbia River in the United States. The Rocky Reach Project is the eighth dam upstream from the Pacific Ocean, located in what is known as the mid-Columbia reach (the river reach from Chief Joseph Dam to Priest Rapids Dam). The Rocky Reach Dam lies between the Douglas County Public Utility District’s Wells Dam (upstream) and Chelan County PUD’s Rock Island Dam (downstream).

1.4 Physical Setting The state of Washington encompasses a wide range of geographic diversity, from the marine influenced ocean shores and the Puget Sound, over the rugged Cascade Mountain Range to the rolling hills of central Washington, to the ancient mountain ranges of north central and eastern Washington. The Rocky Reach Project is located on the Columbia River between two significantly different physiographic areas. In the Cascade Mountains to the west, a metamorphosed sedimentary, volcanic, and granitic rock predominates. On the Columbia River Plateau to the east, vast, thick layers of basalt cover bedrock. The vegetation ranges from forest and alpine meadows in the Cascades, down to the fertile, irrigated valleys near the Columbia and back up to sparsely vegetated arid plateaus to the east.

1.5 Climate The climate in the vicinity of the Rocky Reach Project is the semi-arid type, which is typical of eastern Washington. There is a seasonal range of temperatures in the area with winter averaging about 25°F and summer about 75°F. Spring and Fall temperatures average 50°F. Extreme temperatures can approach -30°F in winter and 110°F in summer. The precipitation is generally low with an annual average of about 10 inches, the bulk of which falls between October and March. There are usually no more than 8 to 15 inches of snow on the ground.

1.6 Regional Economy The economy of the north central Washington region encompassing Chelan and Douglas Counties is based primarily on agriculture. Chelan County provides 80 percent of the jobs in the two-county area and contains 75 percent of the total number of employers. Apples, pears, cherries, and other fruits are important crops in the Columbia River basin. The region’s economy is also supported by other types of agriculture (wheat, hay, potatoes), retail trades, services, manufacturing, recreation and tourism.

1.7 Regional Population The region is sparsely populated. In 1999, the population of Chelan County was 63,000 people; Douglas County, 31,700 people; and the population of the entire state of Washington, 5.7 million people. The largest community on the Rocky Reach reservoir is the city of Entiat, with a 1999

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 1-3 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment estimated population of 935. The cities of Wenatchee (1999 population estimate of 25,620) and East Wenatchee (1999 population estimate of 5,395) are located seven miles south of Rocky Reach Dam.

1.8 Current Land Use The Columbia River valley surrounding the Rocky Reach Reservoir is a wide canyon characterized by basalt cliffs and exposed rock outcroppings. The limited valley is generally rural in nature. The city of Entiat and the communities of Chelan Falls and Orondo are located along the reservoir. Project boundary encroachment includes two sanitary sewer outfalls, storm water outfalls, irrigation withdrawals, and recreational development that is part of Chelan PUD’s existing recreation plan.

Within the project boundary, agricultural uses, recreational sites developed by Chelan PUD, and some residential lands surround approximately half the reservoir. Agricultural uses consist primarily of fruit orchards and some pasture lands. Irrigation pumps and pumphouses to withdraw water from the Columbia River are often located on agricultural lands. Recreation sites provide for swimming, boating, fishing, personal watercraft, camping, picnicking, water-skiing, and other recreational uses. Recreational use generated at these sites is intensive during the summer season, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The remainder of the lands surrounding the reservoir is undeveloped. These lands can be characterized as drylands. They include shrub steppe and grasslands vegetation with patches of exposed rock. Much of the undeveloped shoreline lies in areas where the reservoir is in close proximity to a small, private railroad on the westerly side and to State Routes 97A (westerly) and 97 (easterly). Narrow strips of riparian vegetation, including wetland areas, may be present along those areas of the reservoir where the shoreline slopes are relatively gentle.

Ownership of lands outside and/or adjacent to the project boundary include State Department of Natural Resources, State Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Parks and Recreation Commission, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Chelan PUD, Railroad, State Department of Transportation, City of Entiat, and private lands.

1.9 Current Recreational Development Public access to Rocky Reach Project lands and waters is widely available. Recreation facilities along this river reach are of local and statewide significance, providing water access, camping and picnicking facilities, and athletic fields. The public parks and recreation facilities on the Rocky Reach Reservoir were constructed by Chelan PUD. These facilities are shown on Figure 1-1 and include:

• Rocky Reach Dam Day-use Recreation Facilities and Visitors Center • Lincoln Rock State Park • Orondo River Park • Entiat Park • Daroga State Park • Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks

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• Beebe Bridge Park

Chelan PUD owns, operates and maintains the Rocky Reach Dam facilities, Beebe Bridge Park, and Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks. Chelan PUD owns Daroga and Lincoln Rock State Parks and has lease operating agreements with Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission for the operation and maintenance of these facilities. Chelan PUD own parts of Entiat Park and Orondo Park and have lease agreements for the operation and maintenance of these facilities with the town of Entiat and the Douglas County Port District, respectively. Table 1-1 shows the dates that Chelan PUD constructed recreation parks were completed and other major recreation improvements made by Chelan PUD since construction of the Rocky Reach Project.

Table 1-1: Historical Overview of Recreation Developments Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project - Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County Date Chelan PUD Actions 1963 Developed visitor center, interpretive displays, and day-use area at Rocky Reach Dam. 1978 Developed Entiat Park - joined together two existing community parks: Silico Saska (the main city park prior to establishment of the dam) and Will Risk Memorial Park. Provided improvement and expansion of recreational facilities including picnic area, restroom facilities, parking lot area, boat launch and boat handling facilities along with overnight camping. Signed lease and operating agreement with City of Entiat. 1980 Completed expansion of Orondo River Park, which was originally developed by the Port District in 1974. Expansion included swimming and other day-use facilities. 1981 Developed Lincoln Rock Park - boating, swimming, other day-use, and camping facilities; signed lease and operating agreement with State Parks. 1987 Completed expansion at Lincoln Rock Park - increased area and campsites. 1990 Expansion and development of Daroga Park which was originally developed by a private owner when Rocky Reach Dam reservoir was created. Developed boating, swimming, other day-use, and camping facilities. Signed lease and operating agreement with State Parks. 1993 Developed Chelan Falls Park - boating, swimming, and other day-use facilities. Developed Beebe Bridge Park - boating, swimming, other day-use, and camping facilities. Completed expansion at Rocky Reach Dam - day-use facilities. 1994 Completed expansion at Daroga State Park - group camping facilities. Completed entrance reconfiguration at Entiat Park. 1995 Completed expansion at Beebe Bridge Park - camping facilities. 1996 Completed expansion at Daroga State Park - camping and day-use facilities. 1997 Replaced playground and installed interpretive display at Rocky Reach Dam.

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Recreational Use Assessment

SECTION 2: STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Recreational Use Assessment was to define the existing recreational use in the study area including daytime and overnight visits, recreational activity types, high-use locations, temporal trends, and obtain information regarding visitor satisfactions and needs. The methodologies used in the study were designed to meet the following research objectives:

1. Obtain historical recreation use data from secondary sources such as Washington State Parks, City of Entiat Parks and Recreation, Douglas County Port District, and other recreation facility managers where such data exists in a format suitable to meet Chelan PUD’s needs. 2. Measure the amount of recreational use at public recreation sites in the study area. 3. Compare observed use levels to sites’ physical capacity. 4. Determine what type of recreational activities people are engaged in. 5. Determine when (day, season) recreational activities take place. 6. Determine where people travel from to recreate in the study area. 7. Determine the average number of people in a party and how long they spend in the project area during their visit. 8. Determine recreationist’s primary reason for the visit to the study area. 9. Determine where people are staying overnight in the study area and whether people staying overnight find available space at the place they would like to stay. 10. Determine visitor satisfaction regarding Project area recreation sites and activities and obtain information regarding recreation needs and desires. 11. Gather data on the distribution, type and number of watercraft within the study area. 12. Gather information on dispersed shore activity in the project area. 13. Determine the interrelationship of recreational activities occurring at Entiat Park and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) campsites in the upper Entiat Valley and determine if displaced camping is occurring at USFS campsites.

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Recreational Use Assessment

SECTION 3: STUDY AREA

The study area is the Rocky Reach Project boundary from Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam. The study area includes all public recreational resources within and adjacent to the project boundary.

The Rocky Reach Project boundary is defined by contour lines on each side of the reservoir beginning at elevation 707 feet mean sea level (MSL) at the Rocky Reach Dam upstream to the Wells Project tailrace. The elevation of the boundary lines increases with distance upstream of Rocky Reach Dam to take into account the anticipated water level at high flows. The Rocky Reach Project boundary contains a total of 1,345 acres of land, of which Chelan PUD owns approximately 100 acres, or seven percent. The seven public recreation sites, discussed in this report, include almost 400 acres of land. Chelan PUD owns all seven public recreation sites with the exception of Entiat Park and Daroga Park, which are also partially owned by the City of Entiat and the Port of Douglas County, respectively. Most of these park lands, with the exception of the shorelines, are above the 707 feet MSL boundary definition. Chelan PUD also owns other lands along the reservoir that are not all included within the 707 feet MSL boundary definition such as Turtle Rock Island and other lands set aside for fish and wildlife habitat. Specific land ownership information is currently being researched and mapped and will be provided in the Land Use Report.

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Recreational Use Assessment

SECTION 4: METHODOLOGY

Recreational use statistical data was compiled for both seasonal (peak-season) and off-seasonal (off-season) recreation use patterns, weekday/weekend use patterns, and day-use and overnight stay use patterns. Field data was collected in the peak-season, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day week of 1999 and 2000. Off-season data collection was conducted in the fall months of mid-September through October 1999 and in the spring months of April and May 2000. Calendars of the peak-season and off-season data collection efforts are provided in Appendix A. The following methods were used to collect recreation use information in the study area:

1. Acquisition of data collected by Chelan PUD, Washington State Parks, Port of Douglas County, City of Entiat and other recreation facility managers within the study area (Secondary Data). 2. Instantaneous observational counts and license plate monitoring at sites accessible by car (Car Runs). 3. Instantaneous observational counts by boat of watercraft and shore activity in the study area (Boat Runs). 4. On-site interviews with recreationists. 5. Surveys to determine the interrelationship between Entiat Park and U.S. Forest Service sites and displaced camping.

4.1 Secondary Data Chelan PUD maintains annual visitor counts based on traffic counter data from 1978 to present for all seven (7) developed public recreation sites in the study area. This information provides historical use estimates for parks in the study area. Daily 1999 traffic counter data for all seven parks was also used to supplement recreation use data collected during field monitoring efforts. Daily use data, based on campground fee receipt data for 1999, was requested from all recreation providers and managers to supplement field monitoring data. Daily use fee receipt data was available from Washington State Parks for Lincoln Rock State Park and Daroga State Park.

4.2 Instantaneous Counts by Car (Car Runs) Monitoring recreational activity at developed public recreation sites within the study area was accomplished by conducting instantaneous counts by car (“car runs”). A car run consists of one or more field workers traveling by car to predetermined recreation sites to record the number of people at the site, the activities they are engaged in and license plate information that was used to determine where recreationists are from. Data collection forms are included in Appendix B.

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During the peak-season (summer) and off-season (fall and spring), this methodology was used to monitor recreational use at all seven (7) developed public recreation sites. The seven public sites within the study area are:

1. Rocky Reach Dam Day-use Facilities 2. Lincoln Rock State Park 3. Orondo River Park 4. Entiat Park 5. Daroga State Park 6. Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks 7. Beebe Bridge Park

Sixteen (16) car runs were completed between May 30 and September 9, 1999 (peak-season). Six (6) car runs were completed during the fall (mid-September through late October 1999) and six (6) car runs were completed during the spring (early April through mid-May, 2000).

4.3 Instantaneous Counts by Boat (Boat Runs) Monitoring recreational watercraft and dispersed shoreline activity within the study area (between Rocky Reach Dam and Wells Dam) was accomplished by boat. These boat runs provide a “snapshot” of the level and distribution of watercraft activity in the study area and identified undeveloped areas of the shoreline that may be receiving regular or heavy dispersed use.

The number and type of watercraft within designated reaches and the number of people and types of activities along the shoreline in areas that are undeveloped and not being monitored by other methods were recorded. Field data collection forms used for boat runs are included in Appendix C.

During the peak-season, a total of eight (8) boat runs were completed. This effort was conducted between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2000.

During the off-season, a total of four (4) boat runs were conducted. Two boat runs were conducted in the fall of 1999 and two boat runs were conducted in the spring of 2000.

4.4 On-site Interviews On-site interviews with recreationists were conducted during the peak-season at the seven (7) public recreation sites in the study area and followed a pre-determined schedule. The questionnaire yields information including party origin and size, length of stay, primary reason to visit the area, recreational activities engaged in during the visit, recreation needs and desires, and general satisfaction with the recreation site and the area. A copy of the questionnaire used during on-site interviews is included in Appendix D. The questionnaire was designed to obtain visitor information including:

A. Who visits the project B. Where do visitors come from

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C. Where in the project area are visitors recreating D. What do the visitors do when they visit E. How do visitors recreate F. How long do visitors stay in the project area G. How much money do visitors spend H. How often do visitors visit/recreate I. When do visitors come to the project area J. Why do they visit the project area K. What do they want/expect (recreationally) from their visit

Where possible, field workers interviewed one representative from each party at the recreation site on the scheduled interview day. At sites where use was so great that a true census was not feasible, field workers interviewed a simple random sample of the recreationists. A total of 300 on-site interviews were conducted at public recreation sites in the Rocky Reach Project area during the peak-season.

4.5 Entiat Park and USFS Surveys At the request of the USFS, surveys were conducted from mid-May to Labor Day 2000 at Entiat Park and at USFS campsites in the upper Entiat Valley. The survey questionnaires were designed to obtain information regarding the interrelationship between Entiat Park and USFS sites and to determine if displaced camping is occurring at USFS campsites. Copies of questionnaires used at Entiat Park are shown in Appendix E and questionnaires used at USFS campsites are shown in Appendix F.

Surveys were handed out daily to visitors at the main entry gatehouse entering Entiat Park for them to fill out while paying fees to use the park. The gatehouse captures both park campground and boat launch users.

Survey distribution and drop boxes were installed at USFS Lake Creek, Box Creek and Silver Falls campgrounds. Visitors could voluntarily fill out survey questionnaires and place them in the drop boxes. USFS personnel collected survey questionnaires during routine maintenance visits to the sites.

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Recreational Use Assessment

SECTION 5: RESULTS

5.1 Estimates of Use at Public Recreation Sites

5.1.1 Historical Counts of Visitor Use Historical yearly visitor use estimates based on traffic counters from 1978 to 1999 are maintained by Chelan PUD (Table 5-1). Visitor counts at all sites provided in the table are based on vehicles crossing automatic recording devices (traffic counters). Visitation counts based on traffic counters reflect vehicle arrivals at individual sites. The number of vehicles crossing traffic counters at all of the parks, except for the two state parks, is multiplied by 2.5 to reflect average vehicle occupancy. At Lincoln Rock State Park and Daroga State Park, Washington State Parks estimates visitor counts based on traffic counter data multiplied by an average of 3.5 people per car plus fee receipt data multiplied by a factor of between 2.2 and 3.4 to reflect the average number of people per campsite (the higher numbers are used for peak-season months). Traffic counters can include visitors that are recreating at the sites, maintenance vehicles entering the sites, vehicles that may just be turning around at the site or that may drive back and forth over the cable, and may also count people stepping on the cable. Visitors who may be camping at the site but travel in and out of the site several times during the day will also be counted every time they enter the site. For these reasons, traffic counters generally record higher numbers than actual use, and the counts presented in Table 5-1 should not be considered documented counts of actual individuals visiting these sites. This method does, however, provide a good indication of trends and growth rates.

The overall visitor counts to Project facilities (as shown in Table 5-1) increased from 1978 to 1999 with an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 10.4 percent. Most of the facilities, however, except for Rocky Reach Dam day-use facilities were not developed or monitored until after 1981. The average annual growth rate for the last five years, from 1994 to 1999, was 2.5 percent. Based on traffic counter data from the last five years, it appears that the greatest visitor growth occurred at Beebe Bridge Park, Chelan Falls/Powerhouse Parks, Rocky Reach Dam, and Daroga Park. Visitation at Orondo River Park has remained relatively stable over time, with the 1999 count being similar to both the overall average and the average over the last six years. Lincoln Rock State Park has only increased slightly in the last five years, whereas the use has decreased in the last 10 years. The decrease since the late 1980’s and early 1990’s at Lincoln Rock State Park is a result of the opening of new parks at Rocky Reach and Rock Island Projects. Visitor counts at Entiat Park have varied significantly over the last few years, complicating attempts to estimate long-term annual growth rates based on recent data. With the opening of Chelan Falls and Beebe Bridge parks in 1993, some of the recreation use at Entiat Park and others was dispersed to these sites. The spike at Entiat Park in 1994 was directly related to the 1994 forest fires. A fire base was set up in Entiat park and firefighters and other support crews were moving in and out of the park all day long. Tourism in the Project area dropped significantly during 1995 and didn't begin to rebound until late 1996. The spike at Entiat Park in 1998 was due to an anomaly in the September visitor counts. More than 54,000 visits were recorded in September, which is way out of line with historical September averages.

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Table 5-1: Rocky Reach Project Visitor Counts - Based on Traffic Counters1 Rocky Lincoln Orondo Daroga Chelan Beebe Reach Rock State River Entiat State Falls/PH Bridge Year Dam Park Park Park Park Parks Park Total 1978 125,605 ------125,605 1979 111,801 ------111,801 1980 106,051 ------106,051 1981 114,028 22,682 - - - - - 136,710 1982 110,891 153,709 - - - - - 264,600 1983 107,466 150,062 - - - - - 257,528 1984 107,060 133,897 30,807 - - - - 271,764 1985 92,052 184,571 30,763 97,133 - - - 404,519 1986 118,309 212,292 48,920 70,600 - - - 450,121 1987 113,330 236,913 53,000 80,150 - - - 483,393 1988 106,026 306,539 39,500 77,000 - - - 529,065 1989 106,364 420,826 40,672 77,000 - - - 644,862 1990 100,000 415,000 37,000 72,000 130,000 - - 754,000 1991 179,367 365,126 36,398 74,284 119,411 - - 774,586 1992 177,529 333,283 54,762 110,296 124,300 - - 800,170 1993 192,898 299,192 58,623 83,764 116,891 22,058 35,722 809,148 1994 187,663 226,044 70,622 186,942 120,658 48,668 44,891 885,488 1995 208,535 291,331 40,131 60,847 139,585 60,232 83,138 883,799 1996 199,991 271,790 47,393 56,703 144,270 70,493 97,346 887,986 1997 214,963 272,817 35,644 47,411 144,283 114,800 92,113 922,031 1998 276,488 256,508 36,824 150,278 137,360 127,073 109,923 1,094,459 1999 289,827 232,181 43,278 84,390 164,611 94,520 97,346 1,006,153 Average over Operating Life 152,102 251,830 44,021 88,587 134,137 76,835 80,068 527,902 Operating Life (AAGR) 4.1% 13.8% 2.3% -1.0% 4.0% 27.0% 18.2% 10.4% Average over 1994-1999 229,578 258,445 45,649 97,762 141,795 85,964 87,460 946,652 1994-1999 (AAGR) 9.1% 0.6% -9.3%3 N/A2 6.4% 14.2% 16.7% 2.5% 1 Estimated visitor counts based on traffic counters should not be viewed as documented counts of actual individuals, rather they offer a reasonable method of estimating increases or decreases in visitation over time. 2 In 1994, the Entiat River Valley and surrounding forests experienced extensive forest fires. During this time, Entiat Park served as a staging area for fire fighting crews. This is reflected in the high visitor counts in 1994. An anomaly in the September visitor counts created unusually high numbers in 1998. 3 The AAGR of –9.3% calculated for Orondo River Park since 1994 is biased by the unusually high visitor count for 1994. This may also have been the result of fire fighting crews. Actually the 1999 visitor count is close to the six-year average.

5.1.2 Recreation Use at Individual Sites Based on 1999/2000 Monitoring Efforts Seven developed public recreation sites were monitored during the summer and fall of 1999 and the spring of 2000. Based on field monitoring and data collection efforts from May 30 through

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September 9, 1999, recreationists spent an estimated 361,000 visitor-days at developed recreation sites in the Rocky Reach Project area during the peak-season. Based on field monitoring and data collection efforts conducted from September 10 through October 31, 1999, recreationists spent an estimated 70,000 visitor-days at developed recreation sites in the Rocky Reach Project area during the fall-season. Based on field monitoring and data collection efforts conducted from April 1 to September 26, 2000 recreationists spent almost 63,000 visitor-days at developed public recreation sites in the Rocky Reach Project area during the spring-season.

Data was collected according to the schedule provided in Appendix A. Section 4 of this report describes the methods that were used. This section discusses the monitoring results at each of the recreation sites during the 1999 and 2000 monitoring efforts. A description of the seven public recreation sites is provided as well as the estimated daily capacity and estimated average daily use. Summaries of recreation use and capacity at the seven public recreation sites are shown on Tables 5-2 and 5-3 in this section and are further summarized in sections 5.1.3 and 5.1.4 of this report.

This section also discusses primary activities of recreationists, based on interview data and observations, and the origin of visitors based on interview and license plate data. Additional site specific information is provided from on-site interview data including where visitors are staying, length of stay, whether or not the site was their first choice of a place to stay, and any comments regarding the site. Further information obtained from on-site interviews is summarized in Sections 5-3 through 5-9 of this report.

Methods Used to Estimate Site Capacity and Visitor Use Daily capacity at recreation sites in this report is estimated based on the number of facilities (i.e. campsites and parking spaces). Average capacity values of 5 campers per campsite and 3 people per car are used. The daily turnover rate assumed for overnight use (camping) is 1 and the turnover rate used for day-use activities is 2. The estimated physical capacity of the sites is provided for comparison with estimated use. It should be noted that the estimated capacity based on facilities, such as campsites and parking spaces, is only one method of demonstrating site capacity and may not necessarily be the best measure in some instances.

This section provides the estimated average daily use at each site. In general, average daily use at recreation sites is based on instantaneous counts made during car runs and secondary data, where available. For day-use estimates, the number of people counted participating in day-use activities is multiplied by a turnover rate of two (2) to determine the number of people participating in day- use activities over an entire day. At Rocky Reach Dam Recreation facilities, visitor use estimates based on instantaneous counts of vehicles at the site were also reviewed in order to account for visitors that may not have been counted because they were inside the visitor center. When vehicle counts were used, the number of vehicles observed was multiplied by an average of three (3) people per car and a turnover rate of two (2).

Since most people who use boat launches are out in their boats rather than at the boat launches, instantaneous counts of vehicles with trailers at recreation sites are used to estimate boat launch

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Table 5-2: Estimated Average Daily Use (Peak-Season - May 30 to September 9, 1999) Estimated Average # People/Day Est. Daily Capacity May1 June July August Sept. Type of Monitoring People/day (30-31) (1-30) (1-31) (1-31) (1-9) Weekday2 Weekend2 Maximum Site Rocky Reach Dam Recreation Facilities and Car Run Observations 1,190 905 630 570 670 390 530 660 2,500 Visitor Center & Traffic Counters Lincoln Rock State Park: Camping Daily Fee Receipt Data 470 470 267 417 430 315 285 455 470 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 1,500 740 390 710 790 490 530 905 2,160 Traffic Counters Orondo River Park: Camping Car Run Observations 130 95 55 60 75 20 50 90 130 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 216 165 145 170 170 140 120 230 255 Traffic Counters Entiat Park: RV Camping Car Run Observations 155 (RV) 128 51 61 69 20.5 43 92 155 Tent Camping 250 (Tent) 122 49 59 66 19.5 42 88 250 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 360 670 220 280 300 230 225 480 1,100 Traffic Counters Daroga State Park: Camping Daily Fee Receipt Data 325 290 59 238 259 161 152 272 325 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 1,140 510 215 460 395 205 310 430 1,000 Traffic Counters Chelan Falls & Powerhouse Parks Car Run Observations & 1,218 420 200 355 335 190 255 360 1,155 Day-use Traffic Counters Beebe Bridge Park: Camping Car Run Observations 230 230 125 190 225 100 135 210 230 & Monthly Fee Receipt Day-use Car Run Observations & 1,272 335 280 450 365 110 280 495 1,155 Traffic Counters 1 Average daily use estimates shown for the month of May are based only on observations made during Memorial Day weekend. 2 Weekend refers to Friday and Saturday night for camping/overnight and Saturday and Sunday for day-use.

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Table 5-3: Estimated Average Daily Use (Off-Season) Average # People/Day Fall (Sept. 10-Oct. 31, 1999)1 Spring (Apr. 1-May 26, 2000)1 Est. Daily Maximum Maximum 2 2 2 2 Site Type of Monitoring Capacity Weekday Weekend Weekday Weekend Fall Spring Rocky Reach Dam Recreation Facilities and Car Run Observations & 1,190 305 390 335 425 1,150 1,180 Visitor Center Traffic Counters Lincoln Rock State Park: Camping Fee Receipt Data 470 185 285 100 170 470 470 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 1,500 255 310 165 220 1,235 1,524 Traffic Counters Orondo River Park: Camping Car Run Observations 130 5 15 10 20 20 25 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 216 10 65 15 30 80 145 Traffic Counters Entiat Park: Camping Car Run Observations 405 25 80 0 5 300 15 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 360 80 175 10 165 400 185 Traffic Counters Daroga State Park: Camping Fee Receipt Data 325 40 133 25 49 185 225 Day-Use Car Run Observations & 1,140 75 125 85 155 500 895 Traffic Counters Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks Car Run Observations & 1,218 100 145 115 150 540 480 Day-use Traffic Counters Beebe Bridge Park: Camping Car Run Observations 230 25 75 8 20 100 30 & Monthly Fee Receipt Day-use Car Run Observations & 1,272 180 200 110 130 795 375 Traffic Counters 1 Visitor use estimates include only the day/nights that campgrounds and day-use areas were open. 2 Weekend refers to Friday and Saturday night for camping/overnight and Saturday and Sunday for day-use.

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Daily traffic counter data collected from recreation managers and maintained by Chelan PUD were used to supplement field data counts. Chelan PUD uses an average of 2.5 people per vehicle to estimate visitor use based on traffic counter data. When traffic counter data was used to supplement field data counts, this factor of 2.5 was used for visitor estimates based on traffic counter data at all parks, including State Parks.

The best method of determining overnight use, or use at campgrounds is daily fee receipt data. This is because during observations campsites may be reserved, but the campers may not be at the site during observations. For this reason, where daily fee receipt data is available, it was used to determine campground use. Daily fee receipt data was only available at Lincoln Rock State Park and Daroga State Park. Where daily fee receipt data was not available, field observations of the number of campsites occupied were used to estimate use. When monthly campsite use data was available, this data was used to supplement observational counts of the number of campsites occupied during field monitoring. Monthly fee receipt data was available for Beebe Bridge Campground. An average of 5 people per campsite is used to calculate overnight visitor use in this report. A factor of 5 is also used to estimate the physical capacity of campgrounds and therefore provides a direct comparison of the number of campsites occupied with the number of campsites available.

Tables 5-2 and 5-3 provide a summary of the estimated daily capacity and estimated daily use at each of the seven sites discussed below. The type of monitoring method used to determine the estimated daily use is also shown on Tables 5-2 and Table 5-3. Table 5-2 provides a summary of the estimated average daily use for the peak-season. The average daily use by month, weekday, weekend and holiday for the peak-season is provided. The average daily use during the busiest monitored day of the peak-season is also provided. Table 5-3 provides a summary of the estimated average daily use for the off-season. The average daily use for fall weekday and weekend, and spring weekday and weekend is given. The average daily use during the busiest monitored days of the fall and spring-seasons are also provided.

Rocky Reach Dam Recreation Facilities and Visitor Center This 38-acre park site is owned and operated by Chelan PUD. The site is located on the southwest shoreline at the dam and includes numerous recreation facilities, a visitor’s center, museum, and 241 parking spaces. Recreation facilities include two picnic shelters, 30 picnic tables, formal gardens, playground equipment, two horseshoe pits, 0.45 linear miles of trails, and interpretive displays. The four-story Public Information and Tour Center offers concessions, fish viewing rooms and an interpretive history gallery. The day-use area and three restrooms are handicapped accessible. All recreation facilities at the Rocky Reach Dam are open to the public free of charge. The facilities are open year-round.

There is a primitive boat launch located approximately a half mile downstream of the dam on the west bank, and a primitive fisherman’s access located approximately one-quarter mile downstream on the east bank of the river.

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Estimated Daily Capacity The estimated daily capacity of the site is 1,190 people. This estimate is based on the number of parking spaces multiplied by an average of three (3) people per vehicle and a turnover rate of two (2) per day-use minus 250 (the estimated number of employees that use the parking area per day).

Estimated Daily Use Estimated use at the Rocky Reach Dam Recreation Facilities and Visitor Center is based on counts of people and vehicles made during car runs, and daily traffic counter data collected by Chelan PUD. Use estimates based on field counts of people and vehicles were reviewed and the higher of the two numbers was used. The estimated number of daily employee vehicles at the site was considered when estimating visitor use based on daily traffic counter data. Estimates based on traffic counter data at the site showed higher visitor use than the calculated use from car run visitor and vehicle counts. Traffic counter data will generally record higher than actual use due to cars driving back and forth over the cable, people stepping on the cable, people driving in and out of the site, and even the sun hitting the counter can trigger counts. For this reason an average of the car run counts and traffic counter data at the site was used to estimate visitor use at the Rocky Reach Dam Recreation site.

Table 5-2 shows the estimated average daily use during the 1999 peak-season by month, weekday and weekend. The month of May shows the highest estimated average daily use, but this only included Memorial Day weekend. The estimated average daily use for August is higher than the months of June, July, or September. As can be expected, the estimated weekend use of 660 people per day is higher than the estimated weekday use of 530 people per day.

Table 5-3 shows the estimated average daily weekday and weekend use during the off-season (fall 1999 and spring 2000). Estimated average weekend use in the fall is 390 people per day and the estimated average weekday use is 305 people per day. Estimated average daily use in the spring is 425 people on weekends and 335 people on weekdays.

Estimated Use vs. Capacity Based on estimates from field monitoring and traffic counter data during the peak-season, the estimated average daily use by month is well below the estimated daily capacity of the site, based on the number of parking spaces. Estimated average daily weekend and weekday use during the peak-season is also well below the estimated daily capacity of the site, with weekend use at 55 percent of the parking capacity. Based on traffic counter data, the estimated daily use was found to exceed the estimated capacity of the site on only a few occasions. The maximum estimated visitor use, based on traffic counter data, was over 2,500 people per day on a weekend in late July, which exceeded the estimated daily capacity of the site.

The estimated daily use during fall and spring weekdays and weekends is well below the estimated daily capacity of the site. The estimated maximum number of visitors, based on traffic counter data is also below the estimated daily capacity of the site.

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Activities Based on car runs observations at the site during 1999 peak-season weekends, activities of visitors were picnicking (43%), walking (17%), sightseeing (15%), using playgrounds (10%), other activity (8%), group activity (6%), and nature study/photography (<1%). Observations were not conducted inside the visitor center, so the percentage of visitors that use the center was not documented during observations. However, during on-site interviews at the site, approximately 43 percent of visitors stated that visiting the dam (and visitor center) was one of the activities that they will be participating in during their visit to the Rocky Reach area.

During fall-season car runs, primary activities observed at the site were other activity (40%), sightseeing (30%), walking (17%), and using playgrounds (13%). Based on the number of vehicles at the site versus the number of people observed in the park grounds, it can be assumed that more than 70 percent of the visitors visit the dam and visitor center.

During spring-season observations, primary activities of visitors were picnicking (32%), using playgrounds (28%), other activity (22%), nature study/photo (7%), group activity (6%), walking (4%), and sightseeing (1%). Based on the number of vehicles at the site versus the number of people observed in the park grounds, it can be assumed that over 50 percent of visitors visited the visitor center.

Demographics Approximately 93 percent of peak-season visitors interviewed at the site were from Washington State. The remaining seven percent were from Oregon State. Washington State visitors were from Chelan County (24%), Douglas County (24%), Pierce County (13%), Snohomish County (13%) Grant County (11%), and King County (8%).

Based on license plates of vehicles parked at the site during car run observations, 85 percent of fall visitors were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were from Chelan County (33%), King County (23%), Douglas County (10%), Pierce County (5%) and Clallam, Skagit, Snohomish, Stevens and Whatcom counties (3% each). Out of state visitors were from Oregon (8%) and Colorado, California and B.C. Canada (3% each).

Based on license plates of vehicles parked at the site during car run observations, 95 percent of spring visitors were from Washington State. Most Washington State visitors were from Chelan County (41%) and Douglas County (15%). Other Washington State visitors were from King (8%), Kitsap (8%), Kittitas (5%), Snohomish (5%), Spokane (5%), Benton (3%), Clark (3%) and Cowlitz (3%) counties. Out of state visitors were from Alabama and Arizona.

Additional Information from On-site Interviews The average number of hours that interview respondents stayed at the Rocky Reach Dam recreation facilities was three hours.

Interview respondents rated the site an average of 9.5 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best. Interview respondents were asked to choose from a list of things that could make the site better. Answers included items that were not on the list such as more swings (1 response) and

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-9 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment baby swings (1 response), drinking fountain (1 response), and bee traps or get rid of bees (2 responses).

Lincoln Rock State Park Lincoln Rock State Park is a 65-acre park located on the east shore of the Rocky Reach Reservoir just above Rocky Reach Dam. The site is owned by Chelan PUD and maintained and operated by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC) under a cooperative agreement. Shoreline access to the southern part of the site is restricted due to the proximity of the dam. Most of the northern portion of the site is relatively undeveloped, except for a trail system that links to the central part of the site, where most of the facilities are located. Recreation facilities include a three-lane boat launch, six boat tie-up docks, 102 boat trailer parking spaces, swim beach, six restrooms buildings with 12 showers, 166 picnic tables, three picnic shelters, amphitheater, playground equipment, 1.3 miles of paved trails, athletic fields and courts, 148 day-use parking spaces, 94 RV and tent campsites, RV dump station, and a concession building. Facilities at the site are ADA accessible. Recreation facilities at Lincoln Rock State Park are open to the public for free, with the exception of boat launching, picnic shelter reservations and camping (including RV dump and showers). Camping reservations can be made with Washington State Parks. Lincoln Rock State Park is open from mid-March to October 25.

Estimated Capacity Estimated daily capacity of the site is 470 people for overnight/camping and 1,500 people for day-use activities. The capacity estimate for overnight/camping activity is based on the number of RV/camp sites multiplied by an average of five (5) people per campsite. The capacity estimate for day-use activities is based on the number of day-use parking spaces and vehicle/trailer parking spaces multiplied by an average of three (3) people per vehicle and a turnover rate of two (2).

Estimated Use Estimates of overnight use at the campground were determined based on daily fee receipt data obtained from Washington State Parks, which showed the number of campsites occupied. Estimates of day-use at the park, including launch use, was based on field monitoring (counts of people and vehicles with trailers during car runs) and traffic counter data maintained by Chelan PUD. Traffic counter data will generally record higher than actual use due to cars driving back and forth over the cable, people stepping on the cable, people driving in and out of the site, and even the sun hitting the counter can trigger counts. For this reason an average of the car run field counts and traffic counter data at the site was used to estimate day-use at Lincoln Rock State Park.

Table 5-2 shows the estimated average overnight and day- use during the 1999 peak-season by month, weekday and weekend. The month of May shows the highest campground use, but this only included Memorial Day weekend. The month of August had the second highest campground use followed by the month of July. As can be expected, campground use during peak-season weekends is significantly higher than weekday use. Weekend campground use is estimated at 455 people per day/night. Estimated weekday campground use is 285 people per night.

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Based on observations and traffic counter data, the estimated number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities is the highest during the month of August. The number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekends is estimated to be 905 people per day and the number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekdays at Lincoln Rock State Park is estimated to be 530 people per day.

Peak-season counts of vehicles with trailers at the park made during 1999 car runs showed an average of 22 vehicles with trailers per day or an assumed 132 people per day used the boat launch at the site during peak-season weekends. During weekday observations an average of 12 vehicles with trailers per day were observed or an assumed 72 people per weekday used the boat launch at the site.

Table 5-3 shows the estimated overnight and day- use during the off-season (fall 1999 and spring 2000). Campground use in the fall is estimated at 285 people per average weekend night and 185 people per average weeknight. Spring campground use is estimated at 170 people per average weekend night and 100 people per average weekday night.

The number of fall visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 310 people per day on weekends and 255 people per day on weekdays. An average of nine (9) vehicles with trailers were observed, or an assumed 54 people per day used the boat launch during fall weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during fall weekdays.

The number of spring visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 220 people per day on weekends and 165 people per day on weekdays. An average of four (4) vehicles with trailers were observed, or an assumed 24 people per day used the boat launch during spring weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during spring weekdays.

Estimated Use vs. Capacity Based on fee receipt data, the campground was at 97 percent capacity on average during 1999 peak-season weekends. The campground was full during all holiday weekends and during most peak-season weekends. The campground was at 61 percent capacity on average during peak- season weekdays, with the campground being full during only a few weekdays in August.

The estimated number of peak-season weekend visitors participating in day-use activities was an average of 60 percent of the parking capacity of the site. During peak-season weekdays, the estimated number of visitors participating in day-use activities was an average of 35 percent of the parking capacity of the site. Based on traffic counter data, the maximum number of peak- season visitors participating in day-use activities at the site was 2,160 people during a weekend day in late August, which exceeded the parking capacity of the day-use area. It should be noted that most people camping will also use the day-use facilities, and therefore, do not generally park their vehicles in the day-use area.

Based on the number of vehicles observed with trailers during 1999 peak-season observations, vehicle/trailer parking at the site is an average of 22 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-11 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment on weekends, and an average of 12 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekdays. During peak hours on busy peak-season weekends, however, visitors may experience a wait to launch or retrieve their boats at Lincoln Rock State Park. This is due to the large number of campsites at the park and the park’s proximity to the City of Wenatchee.

During the fall-season, the campground was at an average of 61 percent of its capacity on weekends, and at less than 40 percent of its capacity during fall-season weekdays. During a couple of weekends in early September and early October, however, the campground was full.

During the spring-season, the campground was at an average of 36 percent of its capacity during weekends, and less than 20 percent of its capacity during weekdays. During one weekend in early May the campground was full.

Average weekend and weekday day-use during the fall and spring seasons was well below the estimated daily capacity of the site. The maximum number of day-use visitors in the fall, based on traffic counter data, did not exceed the estimated daily capacity of the site. Based on traffic counter data, the number of visitors participating in day-use activities exceeded the capacity of the site during one spring weekend in early May.

Activities Based on camping fee receipt data, observations made during car runs at the site during peak- season monitoring and traffic counter data (1999), an average of approximately 34 percent of the total number of visitors at Lincoln Rock State Park were camping. An average of approximately 66 percent of the total number of park visitors were participating in day-use activities. This includes both campers who participate in day-use activities as well as visitors who are at the park only for day-use activities. Of visitors participating in day-use activities 22 percent were picnicking, 14 percent were boating, 13 percent were participating in group activity, 10 percent were walking, 8 percent were using playgrounds, 7 percent were visiting the beach/sunbathing, 6 percent were sightseeing, 6 percent were bicycling, 4 percent were swimming/wading, 2 percent were jogging, less than 1 percent were skating and shore fishing and 7 percent were participating in other activity.

During fall-season monitoring, an average of approximately 44 percent of visitors were camping. An average of approximately 56 percent of visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 49 percent were walking, 18 percent were picnicking, 7 percent were bicycling, 6 percent were boating, and 20 percent were participating in other activities.

During spring-season monitoring, an average of approximately 40 percent of visitors were camping. An average of approximately 60 percent of visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 39 percent were picnicking, 18 percent were walking, 14 percent were bicycling, 4 percent were boating, 2 percent were shore fishing, and 23 percent were participating in other activity.

Demographics

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Almost 98 percent of peak-season visitors interviewed at Lincoln Rock State Park were from Washington State. The remaining 2 percent were from either Canada or another country. Washington State visitors were from King County (41%); Snohomish County (25%); Chelan County (13%); Douglas and Skagit counties (4% each); Kittitas, Okanogan, Spokane and Whatcom counties (2% each); and Grant, Grays Harbor, and Island counties (1% each).

Based on license plate data, 92 percent of fall visitors during car run observations were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were from King County (27%); Snohomish County (16%); Chelan County (10%); Pierce County (5%); Kitsap County (5%); Douglas and Yakima counties (4% each); Whatcom County (3%), Island, Okanogan, Skagit, Grant, Lewis, Spokane, and Thurston counties (2% each); and Adams, Clallam, Cowlitz, Franklin, Grays harbor, Mason and Pend Oreille counties (1% each). Out of state visitors were from Idaho and Oregon (2% each), and California, B.C. Canada, Oklahoma, Arizona and Minnesota (less than 1% each).

Based on license plate data collected during spring car runs, 92 percent of spring visitors at Lincoln Rock State Park were from Washington State. Most Washington State visitors were from Snohomish County (16%), King County (13%), Chelan County (13%), Douglas County (8%), Kitsap County (8%), Skagit County (6%), Yakima County (4%) and Pierce County (3%). Other Washington State visitors were from Benton, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, Grant, Island, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Klickitat, Mason, Parkland, and Pend Oreille counties. Out of state visitors were from British Columbia Canada (7%), Oregon (1.5%), California, Florida, Idaho, Montana, and Wisconsin (less than 1% each).

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Additional Information from On-site Interviews Based on almost 100 interview responses, approximately 88 percent of visitors interviewed at Lincoln Rock State Park were staying overnight, with all but one interview respondent staying overnight at Lincoln Rock State Park. Seven (7) percent of respondents who were staying overnight at Lincoln Rock State Park stated that it was not their first choice of a place to stay. Their first choice of places to stay were Steamboat Rock, Lake Chelan, Confluence, Daroga and Orcas, but these places were either too full or too crowded.

The average number of nights that overnight interview respondents stayed at Lincoln Rock State Park was 4. Day-users stayed an average of 4 hours.

Interview respondents rated the site an average of 9, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. When peak-season interview respondents were asked to choose from a list things that could make the site better, answers included something else (45 responses), more docks (7), cleaner facilities (6), more parking (5), fewer people (4), better docks and fewer loud people (2 responses each), higher water lever and lower water level (1 response each). Under “something else” comments included cleaner and better maintained bathrooms/sinks/showers/trash bins (11 responses); more big trees (9); sprinklers (5); better beaches/more sand on beaches (4); more docks/moorage (4); more privacy (3); more hook-ups (2); improved reservation system/nicer rangers (2); less wind (1); better BBQ grills (1); phones (1); abolish fees (1); enforce quite time (1).

Orondo River Park Orondo River Park is a five-acre park located on the east shore of the Rocky Reach Reservoir approximately two miles north of the community of Orondo. Chelan PUD and the Port of Douglas County both own parts of Orondo River Park. The Park is maintained and operated by the Port of Douglas County under a cooperative agreement with Chelan PUD. Recreation facilities include a one-lane boat launch, marina, three boat tie-up docks, overnight moorage, 14 boat trailer parking spaces, swim beach, one restroom with four showers, 14 picnic tables and a picnic shelter, playground equipment, 22 day-use parking spaces, 14 designated tent/RV camp sites and a grassy area that can accommodate 10 - 15 tents. During monitoring effort, facilities at the site were not ADA accessible. Plans are underway to improve the park and make facilities ADA accessible. Recreation facilities are open to the public for free, with the exception of boat launching marina services and camping. Reservations for camping and picnic shelters are accepted. The Park is open from May 1 to September 30.

Estimated Capacity Estimated daily capacity of the site is 130 people for overnight/camping and 216 people for day- use activities. The capacity estimate for overnight/camping activity is based on the number of RV/camp sites multiplied by an average of five (5) people per campsite. The capacity estimate for day-use activities is based on the number of day-use parking spaces and vehicle/trailer parking spaces multiplied by an average of three (3) people per vehicle and a turnover rate of two (2).

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Estimated Use Estimates of overnight use at the campground was determined based on observational counts of the number of campsites occupied during field monitoring. Estimates of day-use at the park, including boating activities, was based on field monitoring (counts of people and vehicles with trailers made during car runs) and traffic counter data maintained by Chelan PUD. Traffic counter data will generally record higher than actual use due to cars driving back and forth over the cable, people stepping on the cable, people driving in and out of the site, and even the sun hitting the counter can trigger counts. For this reason an average of the car run field counts and traffic counter data at the site was used to estimate day-use at Orondo River Park.

Table 5-2 shows the estimated average overnight and day-use during the 1999 peak-season by month, weekday and weekend. The month of May shows the highest campground use, but this only includes Memorial Day weekend. The month August shows the second highest average campground use followed by the month of July. As can be expected, campground use during peak-season weekends is significantly higher than weekday use. Weekend campground use is estimated at 90 people per day/night. Estimated weekday campground use is 50 people per night.

Based on observations and traffic counter data, the estimated number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities is the highest during the months of July and August. The number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekends is estimated to be 230 people per day and the number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekdays at Orondo River Park is estimated to be 120 people per day.

Peak-season counts of vehicles with trailers at the park made during 1999 car runs showed an average of over 4 vehicles with trailers per day or an assumed 25 people per day using the boat launch at the site during peak-season weekends. During weekday observations an average of over 3 vehicles with trailers per day were observed or an assumed 19 people per weekday used the boat launch at the site.

Table 5-3 shows estimated overnight and day-use during the off-season (fall 1999 and spring 2000). Campground use in the fall is estimated at 15 people per average weekend night and 5 people per average weeknight. Spring campground use is estimated at 20 people per average weekend night and 10 people per average weekday night.

The number of fall visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 65 people per day on weekends and 10 people per day on weekdays. An average of only two (2) vehicles with trailers were observed, or an assumed 12 people per day used the boat launch during fall weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during fall weekdays.

The number of spring visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 30 people per day on weekends and 15 people per day on weekdays. No vehicles with trailers were observed at the site during spring weekend or weekday observations.

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Estimated Use vs. Capacity Based on car run observations, the campground was an average of almost 70 percent capacity during 1999 peak-season weekends. The campground is generally full during most holiday weekends and during several peak-season weekends. The campground was an average of almost 40 percent capacity during peak-season weekdays. The campground is generally not full during weekdays.

The estimated average number of peak-season weekend visitors participating in day-use activities was over 100 percent of the parking capacity of the site. During peak-season weekdays, the estimated average number of visitors participating in day-use activities was at less than 60 percent of the parking capacity of the site. Based on traffic counter data, the maximum number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities at the site was 255 people during the July 4 weekend, which exceeded the parking capacity of the day-use area. It should be noted that most people camping will also use the day-use facilities, and therefore, do not generally park their vehicles in the day-use area.

Based on the number of vehicles observed with trailers during 1999 peak-season observations, vehicle/trailer parking at the site is an average of 30 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekends, and an average of 23 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekdays.

During the fall-season, the campground was at an average of 12 percent of its capacity on weekends, and at less than 5 percent of its capacity during fall-season weekdays. During the spring-season, the campground was at an average of 15 percent of its capacity during weekends, and less 8 percent of its capacity during weekdays.

Average weekend and weekday day-use during the fall and spring seasons was well below the estimated daily capacity of the site. The maximum number of day-use visitors in the fall and spring seasons, based on traffic counter data, did not exceed the parking capacity of the site.

Activities Based on observations made during car runs at the site during peak-season monitoring and traffic counter data (1999), an average of approximately 29 percent of the total number of visitors at Orondo River Park were camping. An average of approximately 71 percent of the total number of park visitors were participating in day-use activities. This includes both campers who participate in day-use activities as well as visitors who are at the park only for day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 17 percent were picnicking, 17 percent were participating in group activity, 16 percent were walking, 14 percent were boating, 9 percent were sightseeing, 8 percent were using playgrounds, 6 percent were visiting the beach/sunbathing, 6 percent were bicycling, 2 percent were skating, 1 percent were swimming/wading, and 5 percent were participating in other activity.

During fall-season observations, limited people and vehicles with trailers were observed. Based on these observations and traffic counter data, it is estimated that almost 25 percent of visitors to the site were camping and over 75 percent of the visitors were participating in day-use activities.

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Of the day-use visitors, it is estimated that 15 percent were boating and remaining 85 percent of day-use visitors to the site in the fall were participating in other activity.

During spring-season observations, limited people and no vehicles with trailers were observed. Based on these observations and traffic counter data, it is estimated that approximately 40 percent of visitors to the site were camping and approximately 60 percent were participating in day-use activities. Of the day-use visitors, it is estimated that 40 percent were walking and the remaining 60 percent of day-use visitors to the site were participating in other activity.

Demographics All peak-season visitors interviewed at Orondo River Park were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were from King County (25%); Snohomish County (21%), Chelan County (18%), Douglas County (9%), Pierce County (5%), Spokane and Skagit counties (3% each), Benton Grant Kittitas, Okanogan, Thurston, and Yakima counties (2% each), and Asotin Clallam, Clark, Lewis and Whatcom counties (1% each).

Based on license plate data, 90 percent of fall visitors during car run observations were from King County, Washington State. The remaining visitors were from B.C. Canada.

Based on license plate data, all spring visitors during car run observations were from Washington State and from Douglas County (40%), Pierce County (30%), and Snohomish County (30%).

Additional Information from On-site Interviews All visitors interviewed at Orondo River Park were staying overnight at Orondo River Park. Two (2) percent of interview respondents staying overnight at Orondo River Park stated it was not their first choice of a place to stay. Daroga and Lake Wenatchee were their first choices of places to stay, but they were too full or too crowded.

The average number of nights that overnight interview respondents stayed at Orondo River Park was 3.7.

Interview respondents rated the site an average of 8.7, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. When peak-season interview respondents were asked to choose from a list things that could make the site better, answers included something else (14 responses), cleaner facilities (9), more parking (2), fewer people (1), and better docks (1). Under “something else” comments included dump station/RV hookups (4 responses), better bathrooms/facilities/plumbing/more stalls/upgrades (4), water spouts (2), trees, and picnic tables, and second entrance to park (1 response each).

Entiat Park Entiat Park is a 40-acre park located on the west shore of Rocky Reach Reservoir in the City of Entiat north of the Entiat River. Chelan PUD and the town of Entiat both own parts of Entiat Park. The Park is operated and maintained by the City of Entiat under a cooperative agreement. Recreation facilities at Entiat Park include a one-lane boat launch, two boat tie-up docks, 17 boat trailer parking spaces, swim beach, three restrooms with four showers, a museum, 108 picnic

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-17 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment tables and a picnic shelter, playground equipment, 43 day-use parking spaces, 31 RV sites with hookups, and an RV dump station. Although Entiat Park was not originally planned for tent camping, it has allowed tent camping in the day-use area of the park. During 1999 monitoring the City of Entiat allowed a maximum of 50 tent sites in the day-use area of the Park.

Facilities at the site are ADA accessible. Recreation facilities are open to the public for free, with the exception of boat launching and camping (including RV dump). Reservations are accepted for camping. The campground is open from mid-April to mid-October. Locals are given the combination to the Park gate lock so they can access the park year-round.

Estimated Capacity Estimated daily capacity at Entiat Park for RV camping is 155 people and 250 people for tent camping. The capacity estimate for overnight/camping activity is based on the number of RV sites and the number of tent sites, allowed at the time of the monitoring efforts, multiplied by an average of five (5) people per site. During the 1999 monitoring efforts, a maximum of 50 tent sites were allowed in the day-use area of the park.

Estimated daily capacity for day-use activities is 360 people. The capacity estimate for day-use activities is based on the number of day-use parking spaces and vehicle/trailer parking spaces multiplied by an average of three (3) people per vehicle and a turnover rate of two (2). It should be noted that although the day-use parking spaces are used here to estimate the capacity of the day-use area, overnight visitors use many of the day-use parking spaces since tent camping is allowed in the day-use area.

Estimated Use Since daily fee receipt data was not available for Entiat Park, estimates of overnight use at Entiat Park was determined based on observational counts of the number of RV and tents sites occupied during field observations multiplied by an average of five people per site. During field observations, RV and tent camping were not documented separately. Based on peak-season visitor interviews at Entiat Park, however, approximately 51 percent of overnight visitors were RV camping and 49 percent of overnight visitors were tent camping. These ratios were multiplied by the estimated total number of peak-season overnight visitors at Entiat Park to separate out the number of people RV camping and tent camping during the peak-season. Since interviews were not conducted during the off-season to provide indicators of the number of RV campers versus tent campers, RV and tent camping is combined for overnight use during the off- season.

Estimates of day-use at the park, including boating activities, was based on field monitoring (counts of people and vehicles with trailers made during car runs) and traffic counter data maintained by Chelan PUD. Traffic counter data will generally record higher than actual use due to cars driving back and forth over the cable, people stepping on the cable, people driving in and out of the site, and even the sun hitting the counter can trigger counts. For this reason an average of the car run field counts and traffic counter data at the site was used to estimate day-use at Entiat Park.

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Table 5-2 shows the estimated average overnight (RV and tent camping) and day-use during the 1999 peak-season by month, weekday and weekend. The month of May shows the greatest number of RV and tent campers, but this only includes Memorial Day weekend. The month of August shows the second highest average RV and tent camping activity followed by the month of July. As can be expected, camping activity during peak-season weekends is significantly higher than weekday use. Weekend RV camping is estimated at 92 people per day/night and weekend tent camping is estimated at 88 people per night. Weekday RV camping is estimated at 43 people per night and weekday tent camping is estimated at 42 people per night.

Based on observations and traffic counter data, the estimated number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities is the highest during the months of May (Memorial Day weekend only) and during the months of August and July. The average number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekends is estimated to be 480 people per day and the number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekdays at Entiat Park is estimated to be 225 people per day.

Peak-season counts of vehicles with trailers at the park made during 1999 car runs showed an average of over 15 vehicles with trailers per day or an assumed 90 people per day using the boat launch at the site during peak-season weekends. During weekday observations an average of over seven (7) vehicles with trailers per day were observed or an assumed 42 people per weekday used the boat launch at the site.

Table 5-3 shows the estimated overnight and day-use during the off-season (fall 1999 and spring 2000). Camping activity in the fall is estimated at 80 people per average weekend night and 25 people per average weeknight. Based on observations, spring camping activity is significantly less than the fall and is estimated at five (5) people per average weekend night and zero (0) people per average weekday night.

The number of fall visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 175 people per day on weekends and 80 people per day on weekdays. An average of only two (2) vehicles with trailers were observed, or an assumed 12 people per day used the boat launch during fall weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during fall weekdays.

The number of spring visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 165 people per day on weekends and 10 people per day on weekdays. An average of only two (2) vehicles with trailers were observed, or an assumed 12 people per day used the boat launch during spring weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during spring weekday observations.

Estimated Use vs. Capacity Based on car run observations, the RV campground was at an average of almost 60 percent capacity during 1999 peak-season weekends. Based on the number of tent sites allowed in the day-use area during monitoring efforts, weekend tent camping was at an average of just over 35 percent capacity. The RV campground and tent camping area is generally full to capacity during most holiday weekends and during several peak-season weekends. The RV campground was at

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-19 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment an average of 28 percent capacity during peak-season weekdays. The tent camping area, based on an allowed 50 tent sites, was at an average of 17 percent capacity during peak-season weekdays. The camping areas are generally not full during weekdays. The City of Entiat has indicated that they will be reducing the allowed number of tent camping sites (and therefore the tent camping capacity of the Park) in the future due to the limited capacity of the wastewater treatment facility in Entiat.

The day-use parking area is full during most of the peak-season. Due to tent camping in the day- use area, the park becomes very crowded with the existing restroom facilities and parking area limiting. Based on the estimated average number of peak-season weekend visitors participating in day-use activities, the parking capacity of the day use area is exceeded on weekends. During peak-season weekdays, the estimated average number of visitors participating in day-use activities was around 60 percent of the parking capacity of the day-use area. Based on traffic counter data, the maximum number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities at the site was 1,100 people during a weekend in late August, which exceeded the parking capacity of the day-use area.

Based on the number of vehicles observed with trailers during 1999 peak-season observations, vehicle/trailer parking at the site is an average of 90 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekends, and an average of 42 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekdays.

During the fall-season, Entiat Park was an average of 20 percent of its camping capacity on weekends and at less than 10 percent of its camping capacity during fall-season weekdays. During the spring-season, Entiat Park was at an average of 1 (one) percent of its camping capacity during weekends, and less than 1 percent of its camping capacity during weekdays.

Average weekend and weekday day-use during the fall and spring seasons was well below the estimated daily capacity of the site. Based on traffic counter data, the maximum number of day- use visitors in the fall was approximately 400 people during a weekend in mid-September, which exceeded the day-use parking capacity. During the spring-season the maximum number of day- use visitors did not exceed the parking capacity of the site.

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Activities Based on observations made during car runs at the site during peak-season monitoring and traffic counter data (1999), an average of approximately 28 percent of the total number of visitors at Entiat Park were camping. An average of approximately 72 percent of the total number of park visitors were participating in day-use activities. This includes both campers who participate in day-use activities as well as visitors who are at the park only for day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 19 percent were participating in group activity, 19 percent were boating, 18 percent were picnicking, 8 percent were swimming/wading, 8 percent were walking, 7 percent were using playgrounds, 6 percent were visiting the beach/sunbathing, 5 percent were sightseeing, 2 percent were jogging, 2 percent were bicycling, and 5 percent were participating in other activity.

Based on fall-season observations, an estimated 26 percent of visitors to the site were camping and 74 percent of the visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the day-use visitors, an estimated 8 percent were walking, 8 percent were picnicking, 4 percent were boating, and 80 percent were participating in other activity.

Based on spring-season observations, an estimated 2 percent of visitors to the site were camping and 98 percent of the visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the day-use visitors, an estimated 43 percent were picnicking, 25 percent were visiting the beach/sunbathing, 15 percent were walking, 6 percent were boating, 6 percent were swimming/wading, 3 percent were studying nature/photography, and 3 percent were participating in other activity.

Demographics All peak-season visitors interviewed at Entiat Park were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were from King County (28%), Snohomish County (19%), Chelan County (16%), Pierce County (8%), Douglas County (8%), Island, Spokane, Yakima, Skagit, Whatcom, Benton Kitsap, Mason, Grant, Thurston, Okanogan, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Franklin, and Lewis counties (less than 2% each).

Based on license plate data, almost ninety-eight percent of fall-season visitors were from Washington State. Out of state visitors were from California. Washington state visitors were from Chelan County (34%), Douglas County (28%), King County (11%), Snohomish County (5%), Columbia, Kitsap, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Spokane and Whatcom counties (less that 3% each).

Over 92 percent of spring visitors to Entiat Park, based on license plate data collected during car runs, were from Washington State. Most visitors were from Chelan County (42%) and King County (25%). Other Washington State visitors were from Kitsap, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Out of state visitors were from Arizona.

Additional Information from On-site Interviews Eighty-seven (87) percent of visitors interviewed at Entiat Park were staying overnight. Of these, 91 percent were staying overnight at Entiat Park, seven (7) percent were staying overnight at a church camp in Entiat and 2 percent were staying overnight at Lincoln Rock State Park. Two (2)

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-21 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment percent of visitors staying overnight at Entiat Park stated it was not their fist choice of a place to stay. Cresent Bar and a private cabin were their first choice of places to stay, but they were too full or too crowded.

The average number of nights that overnight interview respondents stayed at Entiat Park was 3. Day-use visitors stayed an average of 5 hours.

Interview respondents rated the site an average of 8.5, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. When peak-season interview respondents were asked to choose from a list things that could make the site better, answers included something else (28 responses), more docks (5), cleaner facilities (3), better docks (3), fewer people (2), more parking (1) and fewer loud people (1). Under “something else” comments included better and more bathrooms/hot water/counters/better plumbing/cleaner bathrooms/closer bathrooms/more and free showers (10), less geese and smell (6), want dogs allowed (2), trees (2), and tents farther away, less noise, better water, less seaweed, dredge out swimming area, movable tables, and sewer at each site (1 response each).

Daroga State Park Daroga State Park is a 140-acre park located on the east shore of the Rocky Reach Reservoir seven miles north of Orondo. The park is owned by Chelan PUD, but maintained and operated by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission under a cooperative agreement. Recreation facilities include a two-lane boat launch, three boat tie-up docks, 76 boat trailer parking spaces, swim beach, six restrooms with 12 showers, 75 picnic tables and 3 picnic shelters, playground equipment, 2.1 miles of paved trails, athletic fields and courts, 114 day-use parking spaces, 28 campsites with water and power, 17 boat/bicycle/walk-in sites, two group camping areas with capacity for up to 100 persons, and an RV dump station. Facilities at the site are ADA accessible. Recreation facilities are open to the public for free, with the exception of boat launching, picnic shelter reservations and camping (including RV dump and showers). Reservations are accepted for picnic shelters and group camping. Other campsites are available on a first come-first served basis. Daroga State Park is open from the first of April to mid- October.

Estimated Capacity Estimated daily capacity of the site is 325 people for overnight/camping and 1,140 people for day-use activities. The capacity estimate for overnight/camping activity is based on the number of RV/camp sites multiplied by an average of five (5) people per plus the capacity of the group camping areas (100 persons). The capacity estimate for day-use activities is based on the number of day-use parking spaces and vehicle/trailer parking spaces multiplied by an average of three (3) people per vehicle and a turnover rate of two (2).

Estimated Use Estimates of overnight use at the campground was determined based on daily fee receipt data obtained from Washington State Parks which showed the number of campsites occupied. Estimates of day-use at the park, including launch use, was based on field monitoring (counts of people and vehicles with trailers during car runs) and traffic counter data maintained by Chelan PUD. Traffic counter data will generally record higher than actual use due to cars driving back

Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 Final Study Report SS/2434 Page 5-22 March 2, 2001 Recreational Use Assessment and forth over the cable, people stepping on the cable, people driving in and out of the site, and even the sun hitting the counter can trigger counts. For this reason an average of the car run field counts and traffic counter data at the site was used to estimate day-use at Daroga State Park.

Table 5-2 shows the estimated average overnight and day-use during the 1999 peak-season by month, weekday and weekend. The month of May shows the highest use, but this only includes Memorial Day weekend. The month of August has the second highest campground use. As can be expected, campground use during peak-season weekends is significantly higher than weekday use. Weekend campground use is estimated at 272 people per day/night. Estimated weekday campground use is 152 people per night.

Based on observations and traffic counter data, the estimated number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities is the highest during Memorial Day weekend (May) and the month of July. The number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekends is estimated to be 430 people per day and the number of visitors participating in day- use activities during peak-season weekdays at Daroga State Park is estimated to be 310 people per day.

Peak-season counts of vehicles with trailers at the park made during 1999 car runs showed an average of 13 vehicles with trailers per day or an assumed 78 people per day used the boat launch at the site during peak-season weekends. During weekday observations an average of 9 vehicles with trailers per day were observed or an assumed 54 people per weekday used the boat launch at the site.

Table 5-3 shows the estimated overnight and day-use during the off-season (fall 1999 and spring 2000). Campground use in the fall is estimated at 133 people per average weekend night and 40 people per average weeknight. Spring campground use is estimated at 49 people per average weekend night and 25 people per average weekday night.

The number of fall visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 125 people per day on weekends and 75 people per day on weekdays. An average of 2.5 vehicles with trailers were observed, or an assumed 15 people per day used the boat launch during fall weekends. An average of one (1) vehicle with trailer was observed, or an assumed 6 people per day used the boat launch during fall weekdays.

The number of spring visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 155 people per day on weekends and 85 people per day on weekdays. An average of one (1) vehicle with trailer was observed, or an assumed 6 people per day used the boat launch during spring weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during spring weekdays.

Estimated Use vs. Capacity Based on fee receipt data, the campground was at 83 percent capacity on average during 1999 peak-season weekends and at 47 percent capacity during peak-season weekdays. The 28 utility campsites and group sites were full during all holiday weekends and during most peak-season weekends. The 28 sites with utilities were also full during many weekdays. Excess camping

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-23 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment capacity at Daroga State Park even during holidays and peak-season weekends, generally occurs at the 17 walk-in/boat-in camp sites.

The estimated average number of peak-season weekend visitors participating in day-use activities was at 40 percent of the parking capacity of the site. During peak-season weekdays, the estimated average number of visitors participating in day-use activities was at 30 percent of the parking capacity of the site. The parking capacity of the day-use area is generally is not exceeded. Based on traffic counter data, the maximum number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities at the site was 1000 people during a weekend day in late July and a weekend day in late August, which did not exceed the estimated parking capacity of the site.

Based on the number of vehicles observed with trailers during 1999 peak-season observations, vehicle/trailer parking at the site is an average of 17 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekends, and an average of 12 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekdays.

During the fall-season, the campground was at an average of 41 percent of its capacity on weekends, and at l2 percent of its capacity during fall-season weekdays. During the spring- season, the campground was at an average of 15 percent of its capacity during weekends, and less than 8 percent of its capacity during weekdays. Group sites received little use during the off- season. The utility and walk-in sites filled up during a weekday, before Memorial Day, but generally do not fill up during the off-season.

Average weekend and weekday day-use during the fall and spring seasons was well below the estimated daily capacity of the site. The maximum number of day-use visitors in the fall and spring, based on traffic counter data, did not exceed the estimated daily capacity of the site.

Activities Based on camping fee receipt data and observations made during car runs at the site during peak- season monitoring and traffic counter data (1999), an average of approximately 35 percent of the total number of visitors at Daroga State Park were camping. An average of approximately 65 percent of the total number of park visitors were participating in day-use activities. This includes both campers who participate in day-use activities as well as visitors who are at the park only for day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 18 percent were boating, 15 percent were walking, 15 percent were using playgrounds, 12 percent were picnicking, 9 percent were sightseeing, 8 percent were swimming/wading, 7 percent were participating in group activity, 6 percent were bicycling, 4 percent were visiting the beach/sunbathing, 4 percent were jogging, and 3 percent were participating in other activity.

During fall-season monitoring, an average of approximately 43 percent of visitors were camping. An average of approximately 57 percent of visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 53 percent were walking, 12 percent were off-road vehicle riding, 7 percent were bicycling, 6 percent were picnicking, 4 percent were boating, and 18 percent were participating in other activities.

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During spring-season monitoring, an average of approximately 23 percent of visitors were camping. An average of approximately 77 percent of visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 33 percent were picnicking, 32 percent were walking, 28 percent were participating in group activity, 3 percent were boating, 2 percent were skating, and 2 percent were participating in other activity.

Demographics Ninety-eight (98) percent of peak-season visitors interviewed at Daroga State Park were from Washington State. The other two (2) percent were from Oregon State. Washington State visitors were from Snohomish County (25%), King County (23%), Chelan County (16%), Douglas County (7%), Pierce County (6%), Kitsap County (3%), Spokane Thurston and Skagit counties (2% each), and Island, Kittitas, Okanogan, Clallam, Clark, Grant Whatcom and Benton counties (1% each).

Based on license plate data, all fall-season visitors were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were from King County (40%), Chelan County (23%), Snohomish County (13%), Spokane County (1%), and Grant Kittitas, Mason and Douglas counties (less than 1% each).

Based on license plate data, 92 percent of spring-season visitors were from Washington State. The majority of Washington State visitors were from King County (28%), Douglas County (19%), Pierce County (13%), and Chelan County (9%). Other Washington State visitors were from Grant, Snohomish, Spokane, and Whatcom counties (less than 4% each), and Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, and Okanogan counties (less than 2% each). Out of state visitors were from South Dakota (less than 4%), and British Columbia Canada and Virginia (less than 2 percent each).

Additional Information from On-site Interviews Ninety-six percent of visitors interviewed at Daroga State Park were staying overnight. Of these, 98 percent were staying overnight at Daroga State Park, and two (2) percent were staying overnight at Orondo River Park. Eight (8) percent of visitors staying overnight at Daroga Park stated it was not their fist choice of a place to stay. Lincoln Rock State Park (4%), Beebe Bridge (2%), Lake Chelan (1%), and Bridgeport (1%) were their first choice of places to stay but these sites were either too full or too crowded.

The average number of nights that overnight interview respondents stayed at Daroga State Park was 3.7. Day-use visitors stayed an average of 3 hours.

Interview respondents rated the site an average of 9.3, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. When peak-season interview respondents were asked to choose from a list things that could make the site better, answers included something else (26 responses), cleaner facilities (8), more docks (5), better docks (4), fewer loud people (3), higher water (2), more parking (1), and fewer people (1). Under “something else” comments included facilities in tent area (6 responses), motorized transport to tent sites (2), soap in dispenser/stock facilities (2), update bathroom facilities/more bathrooms (2), more privacy (2), and more RV sites, current diversion for dock,

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-25 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment more spaces, less bees, higher water pressure, consistent water level, closer stores, speed bumps, keep up grounds better (1 response each).

Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks include 53-acres on the west shore of the Rocky Reach Reservoir and is located in the community of Chelan Falls, just downstream from the mouth of the Chelan River. The park is owned and operated by Chelan PUD. Recreation facilities include a two-lane boat launch, two boat tie-up docks, 25 boat trailer parking spaces, two swim beaches, 11 picnic tables and two picnic shelters with 16 picnic tables, three restrooms with four showers, playground equipment, and athletic fields and courts, and 178 day-use parking spaces. Facilities at the site are ADA accessible. Recreation facilities are open to the public free of charge. Reservations are accepted for picnic shelters. The park is open from early April until November 1, although Chelan Falls Park boat launch is open year-round.

Estimated Capacity Estimated daily capacity of the site is 1,218 people for day-use activities. The capacity estimate is based on the number of day-use parking spaces and vehicle/trailer parking spaces multiplied by an average of three (3) people per vehicle and a turnover rate of two (2).

Estimated Use Estimates of day-use at the park, including boating activities, was based on field monitoring (counts of people and vehicles with trailers made during car runs) and traffic counter data maintained by Chelan PUD. Traffic counter data will generally record higher than actual use due to cars driving back and forth over the cable, people stepping on the cable, people driving in and out of the site, and even the sun hitting the counter can trigger counts. For this reason an average of the car run field counts and traffic counter data at the site was used to estimate day-use at Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks.

Table 5-2 shows the estimated average visitor use during the 1999 peak-season by month, weekday and weekend. The month of May shows the highest use, but this only includes Memorial Day weekend. The month July shows the second highest average use followed by the month of August. Visitor use during peak-season weekends is significantly higher than weekday use. Weekend use is estimated at 360 people per day. Estimated weekday visitor use is 255 people per day.

Peak-season counts of vehicles with trailers at the park made during 1999 car runs showed an average of 1.25 vehicles with trailers per day or an assumed 8 people per day using the boat launch at the site during peak-season weekends. During weekday observations an average of 0.75 vehicles with trailers per day were observed or an assumed 5 people per weekday used the boat launch at the site.

Table 5-3 shows the estimated visitor use during the off-season (fall 1999 and spring 2000). The number of fall visitors is estimated to be an average of 145 people per day on weekends and 100 people per day on weekdays. No vehicles with trailers were observed during fall-season car runs.

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The number of spring visitors at Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks is estimated to be an average of 150 people per day on weekends and 115 people per day on weekdays. During weekend observations an average of .3 vehicles with trailers per day were observed or an assumed 2 people per weekend day used the boat launch at the site. No vehicles with trailers were observed during spring weekday observations.

Estimated Use vs. Capacity Based on observations and traffic counter data, the estimated average number of peak-season weekend visitors was less than 30 percent of the parking capacity of the site. During peak-season weekdays, the estimated average number of visitors was around 20 percent of the parking capacity of the site. Based on traffic counter data, the maximum number of peak-season visitors at the site was 1,155 people during a weekend in mid-July, which did not exceed the parking capacity of the day-use area.

Based on the number of vehicles observed with trailers during 1999 peak-season observations, vehicle/trailer parking at the site is on average less than 10 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity of the site.

Average weekend and weekday visitor-use during the fall and spring seasons was well below the estimated daily capacity of the site. The maximum number of day-use visitors in the fall and spring seasons, based on traffic counter data, did not exceed the parking capacity of the site.

Activities Based on observations made during car runs at the site during peak-season monitoring (1999), an average of approximately 52 percent of visitors at Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks were picnicking. Twenty-six (26) percent of visitors were walking, 7 percent were sunbathing/visiting the beach, 4 percent were bicycling, 4 percent were sightseeing, 3 percent were using playgrounds, 2 percent were boating, 2 percent were jogging, and less than 1 percent were participating in other activity. Fifteen percent of visitors surveyed at Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks stated that they were participating in hang gliding activities during their visit to the Project area. Chelan Butte is one of the top hang gliding locations in the world and Chelan Falls Park is used as one of the landing areas during hang gliding events. These events are generally scheduled during the first weekend in May, around July 4th, during the end of September and during the last weekend in October and have an average of 60 participants. Hang gliding also occurs daily from Chelan Butte on non-event days.

During fall-season observations, limited people were observed. Visitors who were observed were all classified by field monitors as participating in “other activity”.

During spring-season observations, it is estimated that 22 percent of visitors to the site were participating in group activity and 22 percent were walking. Nine (9) percent of visitors were skating, 9 percent were sightseeing, 7 percent were boating, 6 percent were hang gliding and 23 percent were participating in other activity.

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Demographics All peak-season visitors interviewed at Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were from King County (43%), Snohomish County (15%), Chelan County (14%), Douglas County (4%), Skagit County (4%), Clark, Island and Spokane counties (2% each), and Grant, Kitsap, Lewis Pierce, San Juan, Stevens, Thurston, and Whatcom counties (1% each).

Based on license plate data, ninety (90) percent of fall-season visitors were from Washington State. Non-Washington visitors were from Idaho. Washington State visitors were from Chelan County (35%), King County (20%), Snohomish County (15%), Douglas and Okanogan counties (10% each)

Based on license plate data, 90 percent of spring-season visitors were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were from Chelan County (40%), King county (20%), Douglas County (10%), Pierce County (10%), and Snohomish County (10%). Out of state visitors were from Oregon State.

Additional Information from On-site Interviews Almost 35 percent of visitors interviewed at Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks were staying overnight in the area. Of these, half were staying at friend/relatives homes and half were staying at Beebe Bridge.

Visitors interviewed stayed an average of 4.5 hours at Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks.

Interview respondents rated the site an average of 9, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. When peak-season interview respondents were asked to choose from a list things that could make the site better, answers included items not on the list including fixing water spout, cleaning out milfoil, sandy beach, picnic tables, shower, consistent water level, and fixing soggy lawn (1 response each).

Beebe Bridge Park Beebe Bridge Park is a 56-acre park located on the east shore of the Rocky Reach Reservoir just south of the US Highway 97 Beebe Bridge. Beebe Bridge Park is approximately two miles east of the City of Chelan and 32 miles north of Wenatchee. The park is owned and operated by Chelan PUD. Recreation facilities include a two-lane boat launch, a boat tie-up dock, 16 boat trailer parking spaces, swim beach, 14 picnic tables and a picnic shelter with another 14 picnic tables, three restrooms with six showers, playground equipment, athletic fields and courts, 196 day-use parking spaces, 46 RV and tent campsites, and an RV dump station. Facilities at the site are ADA accessible. Recreation facilities are open to the public free of charge. Camping is on a first come first served basis. Reservations are accepted for picnic shelters. The campground is open from early April until mid October, although the remainder of the site stays open until November 1.

Estimated Capacity

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Estimated daily capacity of the site is 230 people for overnight/camping and 1,272 people for day-use activities. The capacity estimate for overnight/camping activity is based on the number of RV/camp sites multiplied by an average of five (5) people per campsite. Estimated capacity for day-use activities is 1,272. The capacity estimate for day-use activities is based on the number of day-use parking spaces and vehicle/trailer parking spaces multiplied by an average of three (3) people per vehicle and a turnover rate of two (2).

Estimated Use Estimates of overnight use at the campground was determined based on field observations of the number of campsites occupied and a comparison with peak-season monthly fee receipt data that was available. Estimates of day-use at the park, including launch use, was based on field monitoring (counts of people and vehicles with trailers during car runs) and traffic counter data maintained by Chelan PUD. Traffic counter data will generally record higher than actual use due to cars driving back and forth over the cable, people stepping on the cable, people driving in and out of the site, and even the sun hitting the counter can trigger counts. For this reason an average of the car run field counts and traffic counter data at the site was used to estimate day-use at Beebe Bridge Park.

Table 5-2 shows the estimated average overnight and day-use during the 1999 peak-season by month, weekday and weekend. The month of May shows the highest use, but this only includes Memorial Day weekend. The month of August has the second highest campground use. As can be expected, campground use during peak-season weekends is significantly higher than weekday use. Weekend campground use is estimated at 210 people per day/night. Estimated weekday campground use is 135 people per night.

Based on observations and traffic counter data, the estimated number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities is the highest during the month of July. The number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekends is estimated to be 495 people per day and the number of visitors participating in day-use activities during peak-season weekdays at Beebe Bridge Park is estimated to be 280 people per day.

Peak-season counts of vehicles with trailers at the park made during 1999 car runs showed an average of 15 vehicles with trailers per day or an assumed 90 people per day used the boat launch at the site during peak-season weekends. During weekday observations an average of 10 vehicles with trailers per day were observed or an assumed 60 people per weekday used the boat launch at the site.

Table 5-3 shows the estimated overnight and day-use during the off-season (fall 1999 and spring 2000). Campground use in the fall is estimated at 75 people per average weekend night and 25 people per average weeknight. Spring campground use is estimated at 20 people per average weekend night and 8 people per average weekday night.

The number of fall visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 200 people per day on weekends and 180 people per day on weekdays. An average of 3.5 vehicles

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-29 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment with trailers were observed, or an assumed 21 people per day used the boat launch during fall weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during spring observations.

The number of spring visitors participating in day-use activities is estimated to be an average of 130 people per day on weekends and 110 people per day on weekdays. An average of .33 vehicle with trailer was observed, or an assumed 2 people per day used the boat launch during spring weekends. No vehicles with trailers were observed during spring weekday observations.

Estimated Use vs. Capacity Based on field observations, the campground was at over 90 percent capacity on average during 1999 peak-season weekends and at almost 60 percent capacity during peak-season weekdays. The campground at Beebe Bridge Park is full during holidays and most weekends from late June to Labor Day. The campground is also full on several weekdays in July and August.

The estimated average number of peak-season weekend visitors participating in day-use activities was less than 40 percent of the parking capacity of the site. During peak-season weekdays, the estimated average number of visitors participating in day-use activities was around 22 percent of the parking capacity of the site. The parking capacity of the day-use area generally is not exceeded. Based on traffic counter data, the maximum number of peak-season visitors participating in day-use activities at the site was 1,155 people during a weekend day in July, which did not exceed the estimated parking capacity of the site.

Based on the number of vehicles observed with trailers during 1999 peak-season observations, vehicle/trailer parking at the site is an average of 96 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekends, and an average of 63 percent of the boat trailer parking capacity on weekdays.

During the fall-season, the campground was at an average of 33 percent of its capacity on weekends, and at 11 percent of its capacity during fall-season weekdays. During the spring- season, the campground was at an average of less than 10 percent of its capacity during weekends, and less than 4 percent of its capacity during weekdays.

Average weekend and weekday day-use during the fall and spring seasons was well below the estimated daily capacity of the site. The maximum number of day-use visitors in the fall and spring, based on traffic counter data, did not exceed the estimated daily capacity of the site.

Activities Based on observations made during car runs at the site during peak-season monitoring and traffic counter data (1999), an average of approximately 31 percent of the total number of visitors at Beebe Bridge Park were camping. An average of approximately 69 percent of the total number of park visitors were participating in day-use activities. This includes both campers who participate in day-use activities as well as visitors who are at the park only for day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 20 percent were boating, 16 percent were picnicking, 13 percent were walking, 9 percent were using playgrounds, 8 percent were sightseeing, 5 percent were swimming/wading, 5 percent were bicycling, 4 percent were visiting beach/sunbathing, 3 percent were jogging, and 15 percent were participating in other activities.

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During fall-season monitoring, an average of approximately 39 percent of visitors were camping. An average of approximately 61 percent of visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 65 percent were picnicking, 11 percent were walking, 11 percent were bicycling, 3 percent were fishing and 10 percent were participating in other activity.

During the spring-season monitoring, an average of less than 10 percent of visitors were camping. An average of approximately 90 percent of visitors were participating in day-use activities. Of the visitors participating in day-use activities 66 percent were picnicking, 14 percent were participating in group activity, 9 percent were visiting the beach/sunbathing, 6 percent were swimming/wading, 3 percent were bicycling, and 2 percent were participating in other activity.

Demographics Ninety-eight (98) percent of peak-season visitors interviewed at Beebe Bridge Park were from Washington State. The other two (2) percent were from Oregon State. Washington State visitors were from King County (43%), Snohomish County (15%), Chelan County (14%), Douglas and Skagit counties (4% each), Clark Spokane and Island counties (3% each), Grant, Kitsap, Lewis Pierce, San Juan, Stevens Thurston, and Whatcom counties (1% each).

Based on license plate data, 88 percent of fall-season visitors were from Washington State. Out of state visitors were from Oregon (8%) and Wisconsin (2%). Washington State visitors were from King County (29%), Pierce County (13%), Chelan and Douglas counties (8%), and Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Clark, Yakima, Grays Harbor and Asotin counties (4% each).

Based on license plate data, 92 percent of spring-season visitors were from Washington State. Washington State visitors were mostly from Chelan County (17%), King County (17%), and Douglas County (13%). Other Washington State visitors were from Clallam, Okanogan, Snohomish and Spokane counties (8% each) and Benton, Skagit, and Whatcom counties (4% each). Out of state visitors were from British Columbia Canada and Oregon State.

Additional Information from On-site Interviews Ninety-four (94) percent of visitors interviewed at Beebe Bridge Park were staying overnight. Of these, 98 percent were staying overnight at Beebe Bridge Park, and two (2) percent were staying overnight at Orondo River Park. Four (4) percent of visitors staying overnight at Beebe Bridge Park stated it was not their first choice of a place to stay. Daroga State Park was their first choice of places to stay but it was either too full or too crowded.

The average number of nights that overnight interview respondents stayed at Beebe Bridge Park was 4.8. Day-use visitors stayed an average of 6 hours.

Interview respondents rated the site an average of 9.4, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best. When peak-season interview respondents were asked to choose from a list things that could make the site better, answers included something else (14 responses), better docks (7), more

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-31 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment docks (6), higher water lever (5), fewer people (2), and fewer loud people (1). Under “something else” comments included more dock moorage (5), consistent water levels (2), more and bigger trees for shade (2), sprinkle less (2), and less bees, a store, and better swimming hole (1 response each).

5.1.3 Distribution of Use Figures 5-1 through 5-3 provide summaries of the estimated visitor use by monitoring season at each recreation site, as described in Section 5.1.2 of this report.

Figure 5-1 shows estimated weekday and weekend daily visitor use for the peak-season. During the peak-season Lincoln Rock State Rock received the greatest number of visitors during weekdays as well as weekends. Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge Park were a close tie on the second highest weekend use while Rocky Reach Dam received the second highest weekday use and Daroga State Park receives the third highest weekday use.

Figure 5-2 shows estimated weekday and weekend daily visitor use for the fall-season monitoring period. For both weekday and weekends, Lincoln Rock State Park received the greatest number of visitors, with Rocky Reach Dam having the second highest. Beebe Bridge Park had the third highest weekday and weekend visitor use. Note that the estimated average number of visitors per day shown on Figure 5-2 as well as other discussions in this report refers to only the days that the campgrounds and day-use areas are open to the public.

Figure 5-3 shows estimated weekday and weekend daily visitor use for the spring-season monitoring period. Rocky Reach Dam Day Use area received the greatest number of weekday and weekend visitors during the spring-season and Lincoln Rock State Park had the second highest weekday and weekend daily visitor use. Daroga State Park showed the third highest number of weekend visitors, whereas, Beebe Bridge Park had the third highest number of weekday visitors.

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Figure 5-1 Distribution of Use - Peak-Season 1400

Weekday 1200

Weekend 1000

800

600

400 Estimated Avg. # Visitors/Day Avg. Estimated

200

0 Rocky Reach Lincoln Rock Orondo River Entiat Park Daroga State Chelan Falls Beebe Bridge Day Use State Park Park Park Park

Figure 5-1: Distribution of Use - Peak-Season

Figure 5-2 Distribution of Use - Fall-Season 1400

1200 Weekday

Weekend 1000

800

600

400 Estimated Avg. # Visitors/Day Avg. Estimated

200

0 Rocky Reach Lincoln Rock Orondo River Entiat Park Daroga State Chelan Falls Beebe Bridge Day Use State Park Park Park Park

Figure 5-2: Distribution of Use - Fall-Season

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-33 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment

Figure 5-3 Distribution of Use - Spring-Season

1400

1200 Weekday

1000 Weekend

800

600

400 Estimated Avg. # Visitors/Day Avg. Estimated

200

0 Rocky Reach Lincoln Rock Orondo River Entiat Park Daroga State Chelan Falls Beebe Bridge Day Use State Park Park Park Park

Figure 5-3: Distribution of Use - Spring-Season

5.1.4 Recreation Site Utilization Figures 5-4 through 5-6 provide summaries of the estimated capacity versus visitor use at each recreation site, as described in Section 5.1.2. Comparisons, by monitoring season, of the estimated visitor use at campgrounds (CG) and day-use areas (DU) with the estimated daily capacity are shown. The average number of visitors camping is compared to the capacity of the campgrounds, and the average number of visitors participating in day-use activities is compared to the estimated parking capacity of the day-use areas. As discussed in Section 5.1.2 of this report, estimated daily capacity is based on the number of campsites for campgrounds and the number of day-use and vehicle/boat trailer parking spaces day-use areas.

During average peak-season weekends the estimated number of visitors participating in day-use activities exceeds the estimated parking capacities at Entiat Park and Orondo River. Lincoln Rock State Park Campground is near 100 percent of its capacity and Beebe Bridge is over 90 percent of its capacity during average peak-season weekends. Daroga State Park is an average of over 80 percent of its capacity during peak-season weekends and Orondo River Park Campground is near 70 percent of its capacity during peak-season weekends. Figure 5-4 shows Entiat Park campground at less than 45 percent of its capacity during average peak-season weekends. However, when separating RV and tent camping, the Entiat Park RV campground is estimated to be at almost 60 percent of its capacity during average peak-season weekends (refer Entiat Park under section 5.1.2). Tent camping, based on the allowed number of tent sites during the monitoring efforts, is estimated to be at 35 percent capacity during peak-season weekends. Average peak-season visitor use on weekdays at all Project area sites is generally well below estimated capacities of the sites (Figure 5-4).

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Figure 5-4 Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity - Peak-Season 140%

Weekday 120% Weekend

100%

80%

60% % Utilization

40%

20%

0% Rocky Lincoln Lincoln Orondo Orondo Entiat Entiat Daroga Daroga Chelan Beebe Beebe Reach Rock CG Rock DU CG DU CG DU CG DU Fall DU CG DU DU

Figure 5-4: Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity - Peak-Season

Figure 5-5 Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity - Fall-Season 140%

Weekday 120% Weekend

100%

80%

60% % Utilization

40%

20%

0% Rocky Lincoln Lincoln Orondo Orondo Entiat Entiat Daroga Daroga Chelan Beebe Beebe Reach Rock Rock CG DU CG DU CG DU Fall DU CG DU DU CG DU

Figure 5-5: Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity - Fall-Season

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Figure 5-6 Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity - Spring-Season

140%

120% Weekday

Weekend 100%

80%

60% % Utilization

40%

20%

0% Rocky Lincoln Lincoln Orondo Orondo Entiat Entiat Daroga Daroga Chelan Beebe Beebe Reach Rock Rock CG DU CG DU CG DU Fall DU CG DU DU CG DU

Figure 5-6: Visitor Use vs. Estimated Capacity – Spring-Season

During the fall-season monitoring, average visitor use at Lincoln Rock State Park Campground was over 60 percent of its capacity. Average peak-season visitor use at other recreation sites was generally well below estimated capacities (Figure 5-5). During the spring-season monitoring, average visitor use at all recreation sites was generally well below estimated capacities (Figure 5-6).

Seasonal Facility Capacity Threshold Level Definitions Figure 5-7 summarizes average utilization for campgrounds (CG) and day-use (DU) areas at each site by season.

Federal land management agencies including USFS, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and others have categorized percentage measurements of facility utilization into threshold level definitions. These threshold level definitions are described as:

40 percent - “Optimal Use” - Allows a facility or use area to rest and revegetate during slow periods or periods of closure. Peak capacity is typically reached during summer holiday weekends and during a few summer weekends. This level of use is optimal for many older facilities and those in sensitive resource areas. Newer facilities may accommodate higher percentages of use due to the incorporation of sensitive design features and siting.

60 percent - “Well Utilized” - Indicates a well utilized facility or use area which reaches capacity during summer holidays, most summer weekends, and a few summer weekdays. A newer well- designed facility should function satisfactorily at this level of use, if allowed to rest during the

Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 Final Study Report SS/2434 Page 5-36 March 2, 2001 Recreational Use Assessment off-season. An older facility will likely not be able to accommodate this level of use without significant impact or degradation of the user experience. Many visitors will perceive some crowding; however, off-peak periods are still available for those visitors who desire more solitude. Some impacts may be expected and will likely need to be addressed.

80 percent - “Heavily Utilized” - Indicates a very high level of use with capacity reached or exceeded during all summer weekends, many summer weekdays, and all summer holidays. The visitor experience is more urban with fewer opportunities for solitude. Many more visitors will perceive some crowding and many will likely go elsewhere. Sustained use at this level requires hardened or paved facilities, increased levels of management and crowd control, a full reservation system, and a more aggressive monitoring program. Impacts and maintenance levels increase substantially at his higher level.

100 percent - “Extreme Use” - Indicates an extreme use level with facilities always at or above capacity, even during weekdays. The visitor experience becomes much more urban in nature with little or no opportunities for solitude. Most visitors will perceive crowding and many will likely go elsewhere. Sustained use at this level requires more hardened or paved facilities, increased levels of management, full reservations, and increased levels of monitoring and crowd control. Impacts and maintenance levels likely increase substantially at this higher level.

Figure 5-7 Site Utilization Based on Seasonal Average

90%

Peak-Season 80% Fall-Season 70% Spring-Season

60%

50%

Utilization 40%

30%

20%

10%

Final0% Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001Rocky Lincoln Lincoln Orondo Orondo PageEntiat 5-37 CG Entiat DU Daroga Daroga Chelan Beebe SS/2434Beebe Reach Rock CG Rock DU CG DU CG DU Fall DU CG DU DU Recreational Use Assessment

Figure 5-7: Site Utilization Based on Seasonal Averages

Based on average seasonal facility capacity threshold level definitions, described above, Lincoln Rock State Park Campground and Beebe Bridge Campground would be considered between Well Utilized to Heavily Utilized (between 60 and 80 percent) during the peak-season. Average peak-season utilization at Daroga State Park Campground is near 60 percent and would be near the Well Utilized definition. Orondo Campground is close to 50 percent utilized during the peak-season and would be considered between Optimal Use and Well Utilized. Orondo Day Use area, however, is around 70 percent utilized during the peak-season so would be considered between Well Utilized and Heavily Utilized. Entiat Park Campground is near 30 percent capacity and would be considered below its Optimal Use, based on a capacity including RV campsites and allowing 50 tent sites in the day-use area. The Entiat Park day use area, however, is over 80 percent utilized, due to tent camping in the day-use area, and would be considered Heavily Utilized. When separating out the RV camping and tent camping at Entiat Park, the RV campground would be near 40 percent capacity during the peak-season, or near the Optimal Use definition. Tent camping at Entiat Park, using a capacity of 50 tent sites, would be just over 20 percent capacity during the peak-season and well below the Optimal Use definition. Rocky Reach Day Use area and Lincoln Rock State Park Day Use area would be between Optimal Use and Well Utilized (between 40 and 60 percent). Other day use areas at Daroga State Park, Chelan Falls and Powerhouse, and Beebe Bridge are well below Optimal Use.

During off-seasons, visitor use at all recreation sites is below the Optimal Use as defined.

5.1.5 Recreation Use by Activity The following describes recreation use by activity at recreation sites in the Project area. In summary, camping activity received the most visitor use at recreation sites in the Project area. Picnicking, walking, boating and visiting the dam are also popular activities at recreation sites.

Monitoring methods used to collect information regarding recreation activities at Rocky Reach Project area recreation sites included on-site visitor interviews and observations made during car runs. The finding from on-site interviews and observations regarding the types of activity visitors participate in during their visit to recreation sites in the Project area are summarized below. Lastly, the use of monitoring methods, as well as secondary data, to estimate recreation use by activity is described and estimates of the number of visitors participating in various activities at recreation sites is provided.

Activities Based on On-site Interviews During on-site interviews, visitors were asked questions regarding what they do in the Project area. Visitors at the seven monitored recreation sites were asked to pick from a list of 25 activities, the one activity that best describes their primary reason for visiting Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat). Figure 5-8 shows the most popular primary activities of 287 interview respondents. Camping was the main primary activity followed by motor boating and water skiing. The last column on Figure 5-8 (All Other Activities), are all the primary activities that ten or fewer

Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 Final Study Report SS/2434 Page 5-38 March 2, 2001 Recreational Use Assessment respondents selected and include using playgrounds, viewing scenery, visiting friends/relatives, swimming, visiting dam, boat fishing, berry picking and hang gliding.

Figure 5-8 Primary Activity At Recreation Sites (Percentage) (287 interview respondents)

40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

g ng ng ng ng ies i i xi it cki ctivity eather ionin tskiing A r Skiing Camp r W icni Rela cat Je or Boat g P a t he n t Wate V Mo O Other Activ Enjoyi All

Figure 5-8: Primary Activity at Recreation Sites

During on-site interviews, visitors at the seven monitored public recreation sites were also asked to pick from the list of 25 activities, all of the activities that they will be participating in during their visit to the Rocky Reach Project area. The most popular activities out of 300 respondents were camping, picnicking, viewing scenery, and swimming (Figure 5-9).

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-39 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment

Figure 5-9 Most Popular of All Activities (300 interview respondents)

90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

g g s g g g g g g n in ing in n in in g tie p din p sh ski tskiin o la fi imm /jog ctivi r icycli b t Golfing Campi w Je r Picnicking g te Sh e a S in er a tor boating a ll lk h o W ad b o Bo a M o R Shore fishing ot Viewing scenery W All Off-r Using playgrounds

Figure 5-9: Most Popular of All Activities

Activities Based on Observations During field monitoring efforts the types of activities that visitors were participating in at each recreation site were documented. Figures 5-10 through 5-12 provide summaries of the activities observed at all seven monitored recreation sites in the Project area.

Figure 5-10 shows activities observed during peak-season monitoring. During the peak-season, picnicking then camping were the most popular activities observed. During the fall-season, other activity, then walking and camping were the most popular activity observed (Figure 5-11). “Other activity” refers to activities that are not included in the list of activities on the field form (refer to field form in Appendix B). During spring-season monitoring, picnicking and camping were the main activities observed at recreation sites in the Project area (Figure 5-12).

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Figure 5-10 Car Runs - Activity Observations Peak-Season (7,521 individual observations)

25

20

15

10

5 Percent (%) of Individuals Observed Percent (%) of Individuals 0

g g g ty d g ng n n ing ing n kin nds ivi h oa gi cki u nl g ampi /U C Wal htseei /Wad Jo Picni g er Act g g off-road d th n oa playgro Si L Group Activity O ch/Sunbat t ing a immin Bicycli oa Us Sw rb to o M isiting Be V

Figure 5-10: Car Runs – Activity Observations Peak-Season

Figure 5-11 Car Runs - Activity Observations Fall-Season (235 individual observations)

30

25

20

15

10 Percent (%) ofPercent Individuals Observed

5

0 Other Activity Walking Camping Picnicking Sightseeing Motorboat Bicycling off- Off-road Using Load/Unload road vehicle riding playgrounds

Figure 5-11: Car Runs – Activity Observations Fall-Season

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Figure 5-12 Car Runs - Activity Observations Spring-Season (410 individual observations)

30

25

20

15

10

5 Percent (%) of Individuals Observed Percent (%) of Individuals 0

g g ty ty s d g to d n in vi vi d n ng ti loa di athi Pho a eeing amp roun Un n-roa Skating s icnicki Walking / nb y o /W C er Ac p Acti yg P h la ad ng t rou p o /Su Stud Sight O G g mi n at L re m o tu Bicycling Usi Swi g Beach Na n ti Motorb si Vi

Figure 5-12: Car Runs – Activity Observations Spring-Season

Estimates of Recreation Use at Public Recreation Sites by Activity On-site interview responses regarding visitors' primary reason for visiting the Rocky Reach area (Figure 5-8) provides an indication of the primary reasons people visit the Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) area, but does not demonstrate the actual use for different types of park facilities/activities. For instance, many visitors who state that visiting the beach is their primary reason for coming to the area are also camping. Interview responses regarding all activities that respondents are participating in during their visit to the Project area (Figure 5-9) provide a better indication of all of the different activities visitors participate in during their visit to the entire Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) area. Field observations at recreation sites provide good information regarding the different types of activities people are participating in at each recreation site (Figures 5-10, 5-11 and 5-12).

Table 5-4 provides a summary of visitor use and activity data described for each recreation site in Section 5.1.2 of this report. This summary table provides an indication of the estimated average number of people per day that participate in different activities at the seven developed public recreation sites in the Project area. As discussed earlier in this report, estimated visitor use for Rocky Reach Project area recreation sites was calculated using several types of data. These included observational counts of people and occupied campsites, traffic counter data, counts of vehicles and vehicles with trailers at boat launch sites, and campground fee receipt data, where available. Use of camping facilities was based on fee receipt data, where available, or when not available based on observational counts of the number of campsites occupied. Although the number of people observed camping was also documented during field observations, these numbers were not used when determining visitor use because many people camping may not be

Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 Final Study Report SS/2434 Page 5-42 March 2, 2001 Recreational Use Assessment at the campsites to count when observations are conducted. The estimated use for non-boating day-use activities are based on the number of people observed participating in different activities at day-use facilities and traffic counter data. At Rocky Reach Day Use area the number of vehicles observed was also reviewed to estimate visitor center use and interview data was reviewed to estimate hang gliding activity. Since many boaters are out in the water and not at the boat launches during observational counts, estimated use for boating activities are based on the number of parked vehicles with trailers at recreation sites.

Table 5-4: Estimated Average Daily Use by Activity at Public Recreation Sites Peak-Season Fall-Season Spring-Season Activity (Avg. # People/Day) (Avg. # People/Day) (Avg. # People/Day) Camping 863 371 186 Boating 298 34 14 Visiting Dam/Visitor Center 245 231 180 Shore Fishing 2 0 3 Visiting Beach/Sunbathing 117 0 23 Swimming/Wading 99 0 10 Nature Study Photo 3 0 14 Gathering/Collecting 0 0 0 Hang gliding 8 0 8 Walking 336 227 117 Hiking 0 0 0 Backpacking 0 0 0 Skating 5 0 14 Jogging 50 0 0 Picnicking 598 183 261 Off-road vehicle riding 0 11 0 Bicycling on-road 8 5 29 Bicycling off-road 98 40 0 Sightseeing 185 30 13 Using playgrounds 210 13 50 Group Activity 213 0 84 Other Activity 159 356 129 Total: 3497 1501 1135

As shown on Table 5-4, during the peak-season, camping facilities received the most visitor use followed by picnicking. During the fall-season, camping had the highest use followed by other activity. Picnicking had the highest visitor use followed by camping during spring-season monitoring.

5.2 Recreation Use on Rocky Reach Reservoir (Lake Entiat) The following describes the results of watercraft use and dispersed shoreline use based on observations made during boat runs in Rocky Reach Reservoir. Watercraft and shoreline angling

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-43 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment activity observed during field monitoring as well as creel surveys are also discussed. In summary, motorboats made up the majority of watercraft use in the Rocky Reach Reservoir, watercrafts were fairly well distributed throughout the reservoir, and average watercraft use throughout the reservoir was below recommended boats per surface acre guidelines. The majority of dispersed shoreline use was observed along undeveloped shorelines between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge and at a beach on Turtle Rock Island. Few watercraft were observed angling and relatively few people were observed fishing from the shore; the greatest number of anglers were observed during late summer of 1999, when Chinook salmon fishing was open in the reservoir.

5.2.1 Watercraft and Dispersed Shoreline Activity Watercraft and shoreline activity were recorded along the entire length of the Rocky Reach Reservoir (from Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam) during eight boat runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2000, two boat runs in the fall of 1999, and two boat runs in the spring of 2000. The number and types of watercraft were documented. In addition, the types of activities and the number of people along undeveloped shorelines (that were not monitored by any other method) were documented in an attempt to identify areas along the lake where shore activity may be occurring that is not a designated public recreation site.

Watercraft and shoreline activity was recorded for five reaches of the Rocky Reach Reservoir which include the following areas (refer to Figure 1-1):

1. Between Rocky Reach Dam and the north end of Turtle Rock Island 2. Between the north end of Turtle Rock Island and Orondo River Park 3. Between Orondo River Park and Daroga State Park 4. Between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge 5. Between Beebe Bridge and Wells Dam

Watercraft Use The type and average number of watercraft observed at one time during boat runs in Rocky Reach Reservoir (Lake Entiat) during peak-season weekdays and weekends is shown on Tables 5-5 and 5-6. Table 5-7 shows the watercraft activity for the busiest day observed during the peak season. Tables 5-8 through 5-10 show the average daily number of watercraft observed during fall-season and spring-season boat runs.

During peak-season weekdays, most watercraft observed were motorized (Table 5-5). The majority of motorized watercraft were observed between the north end of Turtle Rock Island and Beebe Bridge. Few non-motorized watercraft were observed on the Rocky Reach Reservoir. Those that were observed were between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge. Motorboat other (activity unidentified) was the most popular activity observed followed by Personal watercraft (Jetskis) and motorboat skiing/tubing.

During peak-season weekends, most watercraft observed were motorized (Table 5-6). The majority of motorized watercraft were observed between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge. The reaches between the north end of Turtle Rock Island and Daroga State Park also showed

Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 Final Study Report SS/2434 Page 5-44 March 2, 2001 Recreational Use Assessment relatively higher watercraft use. Few non-motorized watercraft were observed on the Rocky Reach Reservoir. Those that were observed were spread out between the north end of Turtle Rock Island and Beebe Bridge. Motorboat skiing/tubing was the most popular watercraft observed followed by motorboat other (unidentified), and personal watercraft (jetskis).

Table 5-5: Average # of Peak-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekdays) (Based on Instantaneous Counts by Boat) Rocky Reach Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity Dam - Turtle Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Rock Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir Motorboat angling 0 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 Motorboat 0.5 4 2.5 4 0.5 11.5 skiing/tubing Motorboat 2336115 other/unidentified Jetskis 4.5 1.5 3.5 4 0 13.5 Airplanes 0 0 0.5 0 0 0.5 TOTAL Motorized 7 8.5 10.5 14.5 1.5 42 NonMotorboat angling 000000 NonMotorboat other 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 Windsurfers 000000 TOTAL 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 NonMotorized TOTAL 7 8.5 10.5 15 1.5 42.5 Watercraft

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Table 5-6: Average # of Peak-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekends) (Based on Instantaneous Counts by Boat) Rocky Reach Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity Dam - Turtle Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Rock Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir Motorboat angling 011136 Motorboat 36418334 skiing/tubing Motorboat 35417332 other/unidentified Jetskis 37413128 Airplanes 000000 TOTAL Motorized 9 19 13 49 10 100 NonMotorboat angling 000000 NonMotorboat other 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 1 Windsurfers 0 0.5 0 0 0 0.5 TOTAL 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1.5 NonMotorized TOTAL 0 19.5 13.5 49.5 0 101.5 Watercraft

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During the busiest observation day, most watercraft observed were motorized (Table 5-7). The majority of motorized watercraft were observed between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge. The reaches between the Rocky Reach Dam and the Orondo Park also showed relatively higher watercraft use. Few non-motorized watercraft were observed on the Rocky Reach Reservoir. The few that were observed were seen between the north end of Turtle Rock Island and Orondo Park and Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge. Motorboat skiing/tubing was the most popular watercraft observed followed by motorboat other (unidentified), and personal watercraft (jetskis).

Table 5-7: Watercraft Observed During Busiest Observation Day (July 2, 2000) (Based on Instantaneous Counts by Boat) Rocky Reach Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity Dam - Turtle Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Rock Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir Motorboat angling 000101 Motorboat 38434554 skiing/tubing Motorboat 55134651 other/unidentified Jetskis 63518133 Airplanes 000000 TOTAL 14 16 10 87 12 139 Motorized NonMotorboat 000000 angling NonMotorboat other 000101 Windsurfers 010001 TOTAL 0 1 0 1 0 2 NonMotorized TOTAL 14 17 10 88 12 141 Watercraft

During the fall-season weekday boat run, no watercraft were observed. During the fall-season weekend boat run, few motorized watercraft were observed and no non-motorized watercraft were observed (Table 5-8). Motorized watercraft that were observed were between Orondo River Park and Beebe Bridge. Activities identified during observations included motorboat angling and motorboat skiing/tubing.

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Table 5-8: Fall-Season (1999) Watercraft Observed (Weekend) (Based on Instantaneous Counts by Boat) Rocky Reach Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity Dam - Turtle Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Rock Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir Motorboat angling 000202 Motorboat 001102 skiing/tubing Motorboat 001001 other/unidentified Jetskis 000000 Airplanes 000000 TOTAL 0 0 2 3 0 5 Motorized NonMotorboat 000000 angling NonMotorboat 000000 other Windsurfers 000000 TOTAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 NonMotorized TOTAL 002305 Watercraft No watercraft were observed during the fall-season weekday boat run.

During the spring-season weekday boat run, only two watercraft were observed, one between the north end of Turtle Rock Island and Orondo River Park and the other between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge (Table 5-9). Both watercraft were motorized, their activity was unidentifiable. No non-motorized watercraft were observed.

During the spring-season weekend boat run, three motorized watercraft were observed between Rocky Reach Dam and Turtle Rock Island and eight motorized watercraft were observed between Orondo River Park and Beebe Bridge (Table 5-10). Most of the motorized watercraft were skiing/tubing and a few were jetskiing. Activities of other motorized watercraft were not identifiable. Only one non-motorized watercraft was observed between Rocky Reach Dam and the north end of Turtle Rock Island during the weekend boat run.

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Table 5-9: Spring-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekday) (Based on Instantaneous Counts by Boat) Rocky Reach Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity Dam - Turtle Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Rock Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir Motorboat angling 000000 Motorboat 000000 skiing/tubing Motorboat 010102 other/unidentified Jetskis 000000 Airplanes 000000 TOTAL Motorized 0 1 0 1 0 2 NonMotorboat angling 000000 NonMotorboat 000000 other/unidentified Windsurfers 000000 TOTAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 NonMotorized TOTAL 010102 Watercraft

Table 5-10: Spring-Season (2000) Watercraft Observed (Weekend) (Based on Instantaneous Counts by Boat) Rocky Reach Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity Dam - Turtle Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Rock Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir Motorboat angling 000000 Motorboat 004206 skiing/tubing Motorboat 102003 other/unidentified Jetskis 200002 Airplanes 000000 TOTAL Motorizes 3 0 6 2 0 11 NonMotorboat 000000 angling NonMotorboat 100001 other/unidentified Windsurfers 000000 TOTAL 1 0 0 0 0 1 NonMotorized TOTAL 4062012 Watercraft

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Capacity The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) has summarized standards used by various public and private recreation agencies. For boating, one set of standards recommends a number of boats for a given surface area. The standards for the number of boats per surface acre of water cover a wide range - from several boats per acre to 33 acres per boat. Most boaters in the study area would feel that several boats per acre would exceed their social capacity. The standard recommended by the State Organization of Boating Access (SOBA) is based on a typical 8,000-acre lake. For this size of lake the SOBA recommends that the lake will support 240 boats at one time. This corresponds to approximately 33 acres per boat (NRPA, 1970). The boater capacity standards recommended by the SOBA are conservative, and due to the rural nature of the area would be appropriate for Rocky Reach Reservoir.

Tables 5-11 and 5-12 summarize the average number of watercraft observed at one time on the Rocky Reach Reservoir during peak-season weekdays and weekends. Table 5-13 shows the greatest number of watercraft observed at one time on the Reservoir during the peak-season boat runs. The estimated surface acres and SOBA recommended number of watercraft for each of the designated reaches in Rocky Reach Reservoir are also shown on the tables. Based on peak- season boat observations, the watercraft use during the average weekday and weekend is below the recommended guidelines. During the busiest observation day (July 2, 2000) the number of watercraft observed between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge exceeded recommended standards by three watercraft. Watercraft use observed during the busiest observation day in all other reaches of the Rocky Reach Reservoir was well below recommended guidelines.

Table 5-11: Average # of Watercraft Observed (Peak-Weekdays) vs. Recommended Standards Rocky Reach Dam Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity - Turtle Rock Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir TOTAL 7 8.5 10.5 14.5 1.5 42 Motorizes TOTAL 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 NonMotorized TOTAL 7 8.5 10.5 15 1.5 42.5 Watercraft Surface Acres 767 2505 1239 2791 1757 9059 Recommended 23 76 38 85 53 275 Boats

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Table 5-12: Average # of Watercraft Observed (Peak-Weekends) vs. Recommended Standards Rocky Reach Dam Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity - Turtle Rock Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir TOTAL 9 19 13 49 10 100 Motorizes TOTAL 0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 1.5 NonMotorized TOTAL 0 19.5 13.5 49.5 0 101.5 Watercraft Surface Acres 767 2505 1239 2791 1757 9059 Recommended 23 76 38 85 53 275 Boats

Table 5-13: Watercraft Observed During Busiest Observation Day (July 2, 2000) vs. Recommended Standards Rocky Reach Dam Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity - Turtle Rock Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir TOTAL 14 16 10 87 12 139 Motorizes TOTAL 010102 NonMotorized TOTAL 14 17 10 88 12 141 Watercraft Surface Acres 767 2505 1239 2791 1757 9059 Recommended 23 76 38 85 53 275 Boats

For recreation facilities, a wide range of vehicle/trailer standards have been recommended. Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a general standard of one vehicle/trailer space for 50 acres of water (pers. comm. D. Pierson, Michigan DNR, October 1998). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Administrative Code recommends a minimum of one vehicle/trailer space for 70 acres of water and a maximum of one vehicle/trailer space for 50 acres of water (Wisconsin DNR, 1996). According to Michigan and Wisconsin rules, between 130 and 180 public vehicle/trailer parking spaces would be recommended for a waterbody the size of Rocky Reach Reservoir. These recommendations are, again, conservative and appear to be appropriate for Rocky Reach Reservoir due to the rural nature of the area.

At public recreation sites along Rocky Reach Reservoir there are approximately 250 public vehicle/trailer parking spaces. The current number of public boat launch vehicle/parking spaces is well over the recommended standards for waterbodies the size of Rocky Reach Reservoir.

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Dispersed Shoreline Use Although the field form included a list of shore activities (see Appendix C), activities observed during boat runs were mostly swimming/visiting the beach, and some shore angling, and other shore activity. In summary, most dispersed shoreline use was observed at a beach on Chelan PUD owned Turtle Rock Island and on mostly private and some state, Chelan PUD and BLM owned undeveloped shorelines between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge. A few people were observed on the City owned Entiat River sandbar (documented in reach between north end of Turtle Rock Island and Orondo River Park) and along undeveloped shorelines owned by Chelan PUD and managed by WDFW between Beebe Bridge and Wells Dam. Generally, it has been found that people recreating at undeveloped areas boat in to these areas to get away from people; they desire more secluded undeveloped locations.

The type and number of people observed along undeveloped shorelines during peak-season boat runs are shown on Tables 5-14.

During peak-season weekdays, all people observed along undeveloped shorelines were swimming or visiting the beach (Table 5-14). Most people observed were at a beach on Turtle Rock Island and along undeveloped shorelines between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge. A few people were observed in reach between north end of Turtle Rock Island and Orondo River Park and along undeveloped shorelines in the reach between Beebe Bridge and Wells Dam.

During peak-season weekends (Table 5-14), most people observed along undeveloped shorelines were swimming or visiting the beach and a few people were observed shore angling and participating in other (unidentified) shore activity. The highest dispersed shoreline use was between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge with an average of almost 35 people per day observed along undeveloped shorelines during peak-season weekends. An undeveloped beach on Turtle Rock Island received the second highest use with and average of almost 13 people per day observed during peak-season weekends.

During the busiest observation day (July 2, 2000), most people observed along undeveloped shorelines were swimming or visiting the beach. A couple of people were observed participating in other (unidentified) shore activity. The highest dispersed shoreline use was between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge with 50 people observed along undeveloped shorelines at one time. An undeveloped beach of Turtle Rock Island received the second highest use, with 36 people observed at one time. The reach between Beebe Bridge and Wells Dam also received some dispersed shoreline use, with 21 people observed at one time on undeveloped shorelines.

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Table 5-14: Peak-Season (2000) Shoreline Activity (Weekdays and Weekends) Rocky Reach Dam Turtle Rock Daroga S.P.- TOTAL Activity - Turtle Rock Island - Orondo Park Beebe Beebe Bridge Entire Island Orondo Park - Daroga S.P. Bridge - Wells Dam Reservoir Average Weekday: Angling 000000 Swimming/ 14 4 0 14 2 34 Visiting Beach TOTAL 14 4 0 14 2 34 Weekday Average Weekend: Angling 0 0 0 1 3.5 4.5 Swimming/ 12.5 9 0 33 5 59.5 Visiting Beach Other Shore 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 Activity TOTAL 12.5 9 0 34.5 8.5 64.5 Weekend Busiest Day (July 2, 2000): Angling 000000 Swimming/ 36 0 0 48 21 105 Visiting Beach Other Shore 000202 Activity TOTAL 36 0 0 50 21 107 Busiest Day

During fall-season weekdays and weekends no people were observed along undeveloped shorelines.

During the spring-season weekday boat run, only one person was observed shore angling along undeveloped shorelines between Rocky Reach Dam and the north end of Turtle Rock Island.

No people were observed along undeveloped shorelines during spring-season weekend boat runs.

5.2.2 Angling Activity Angling activity was documented during car runs and on-site interviews at developed public recreation sites, and during boat runs and creel surveys along the Rocky Reach Reservoir. In summary, relatively few anglers were observed in Rocky Reach Reservoir. The most angling activity that were observed during monitoring efforts was during late summer when summer/fall Chinook salmon fishing was open on the Columbia River (opened August 10 and closed October 21, 2000).

Boat runs, as well as car runs and interviews were generally conducted during mid-day and early afternoons and therefore may not have accounted for late afternoon and early evening anglers in

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-53 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment the reservoir. Creel surveys were conducted to provide information specifically regarding angling activity in the reservoir. These surveys were concentrated in the early morning and late afternoon/early evening since fisherman were observed fishing primarily during these two time periods, and they avoided the middle of the day when recreational boating activity was highest. The following describes angling activity observed during car runs, identified during on-site interviews, observed during boat runs and creel surveys.

Car Runs, Interviews and Boat Runs Few people were observed angling at public recreation sites during car runs. During the peak- season, an average of less than two people per day were observed shore angling, with most of the people observed during weekday observations. People observed shore angling at public recreation sites during car runs were located at Beebe Bridge, Lincoln Rock State Park and Entiat Park. Over half of the people angling were observed during late summer when summer/fall Chinook salmon fishing was open on the Columbia River (opened August 10 and closed October 21, 2000). No people were observed shore angling during fall-season car runs. Only one person was observed angling on a weekend at Lincoln Rock State Park during six spring-season car runs.

Interviews were conducted at public recreation sites during the peak-season. Interview respondents did not indicate that shore fishing was their primary reason for visiting the Rocky Reach Project area. However, over 10 percent of people interviewed at public parks indicated that they participated in shore fishing during their visit to the Project area (refer to Figure 5-9).

During peak-season boat runs, about 5 percent of the watercraft were observed angling. An average of approximately 1.5 watercraft angling per weekday and an average of 6 watercraft angling per weekend day were observed. Most of the watercraft angling activity occurred during the late summer when summer/fall Chinook salmon fishing was open on the Columbia River. Little angling activity was observed in the early summer.

As with watercraft angling, most shore angling activity observed during boat runs occurred during the late summer when summer/fall Chinook salmon fishing season was open. No shore angling activity was observed in the early summer. An average of almost 5 anglers per day were observed along undeveloped shorelines during peak-season weekends. No anglers were observed along undeveloped shorelines during weekday boat runs. Most shore anglers were observed above Beebe Bridge.

During fall-season boat runs, approximately 40 percent of the watercraft observed were angling. An average of approximately two watercraft anglers per weekend day were observed. Watercraft anglers were observed between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge. No watercraft were observed angling during fall-season weekday boat runs or during spring-season boat runs.

No people were observed shore angling during fall weekday or weekend boat runs or during the spring-season weekend boat run. Only one person was observed shore angling along undeveloped shorelines between Rocky Reach Dam and the north end of Turtle Rock Island during the spring-season weekday boat run.

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Creel Surveys Creel surveys were conducted by Chelan PUD consultants from August through early October 1999 and from April through July 2000. They were conducted at all main public access points and throughout the reservoir. Occupants of every fishing boat encountered on the reservoir were interviewed as well as shore anglers observed at public access points (DE&S, 2000).

Results of these creel surveys showed very little fishing effort on Rocky Reach Reservoir. This is likely because the creel surveys were not conducted during any periods when salmon fishing was allowed within the Rocky Reach Reservoir. During 45 monitoring days, 134 anglers were queried during 71 interviews. Approximately 2 anglers per weekdays and almost 4 anglers per weekend were interviewed. Anglers were most often found from Entiat River to Wells Dam and at the mouth of Chelan River. Anglers' primary target species were walleye, smallmouth bass, and pikeminnow. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) for all species was low. Pikeminnow had the highest CPUE (average of 0.295 fish/angler hour) followed by walleye (CPUE of 0.092). (DE&S, 2000)

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) conducted creel surveys between August 10 and October 14, 2000, during the summer/fall Chinook opening. During this period 191 anglers were surveyed. Most of the fishing occurred during the first two weeks of Chinook season. Fishing decreased substantially after Labor Day. The CPUE for Chinook during this survey effort was 0.13.

5.3 Visitor Demographics Most visitors, during all seasons monitored, were from the Seattle Metropolitan area. The Seattle Metropolitan area includes King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Pierce, and Thurston counties. A higher percentage of visitors were from the Seattle Metropolitan area during the peak-season than during the off-seasons. A higher percentage of park visitors were from the local area during the off-season.

On-site interviews showed over 60 percent of peak-season visitors to Rocky Reach area recreation sites coming from the Seattle metropolitan area. Approximately 16 percent of interview respondents were from Chelan County and around 5 percent were from Douglas County. Approximately 17 percent of visitors were from other Washington counties including Skagit, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, Yakima, Island, Spokane, Whatcom, Grays Harbor and Franklin counties. Few visitors were from other states or from Canada (Figure 5-13).

Twelve (12) percent of visitors interviewed during the peak-season were not staying overnight in the project area. Of these, over 60 percent were from Chelan and Douglas counties, 26 percent were from the Seattle Metropolitan area and 14 percent were from other eastern Washington counties. Most of the park visitors who were staying overnight in the project area were from the Seattle Metropolitan area (60%), with only 14 percent of the overnight survey respondents from the local area (Chelan and Douglas counties).

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Based on vehicle license plate numbers, about 45 percent of fall visitors were from the Seattle Metropolitan area (Figure 5-14) and over 25 percent were from the local area (Douglas and Chelan County). The greatest number of fall-season visitors to the area were from King County (26%) followed by Chelan County (18%) then Snohomish County (11%).

Figure 5-13 Where Peak-Season Respondents are From - All Sites (290 Respondents)

Other States 1% Canada 0% Other Washington Counties 17% Douglas County 5%

Seattle Metropolitan Area Chelan County 61% 16%

Figure 5-13: Where Peak-Season Respondents are From – All Sites

Figure 5-14 Where Fall-Season Visitors are From - All Sites Canada 2% Other States 6%

Other Washington Counties Seattle Metropolitan 21% Area 45% Douglas County 8%

Chelan County 18% Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 Final Study Report SS/2434 Page 5-56 March 2, 2001 Recreational Use Assessment

Figure 5-14: Where Fall-Season Visitors are From – All Sites

Most spring-season visitors (40%) were also from the Seattle Metropolitan area (Figure 5-15), based on vehicle license plate numbers. Almost 31 percent of spring visitors were from the local area (31%). The greatest number of spring-season visitors to the area were from Chelan County (19%), followed by King County (16%), Douglas County (12%), and Snohomish County (11%).

Figure 5-15 Where Spring-Season Visitors are From - All Sites

Canada Other States 4% 5%

Other Washington Counties 20% Seattle Metropolitan Area 40%

Douglas County 12%

Chelan County 19%

Figure 5-15: Where Spring-Season Visitors are From – All Sites

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5.4 Visitor Satisfaction

5.4.1 Recreation Sites Visitors are generally satisfied with the recreation sites in the Project area. During on-site interviews, visitors were asked to rate the site they were visiting on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. Figure 5-16 summarizes the average rating given for recreation sites. Numbers in parentheses next to the site names indicate the number of interview responses.

All seven of the recreation sites were given high ratings. Orondo River Park and Entiat Park were given the lowest ratings of 8.7 and 8.5, respectively. The other five parks were given average ratings of 9 or above.

Figure 5-16 Recreation Site Rating (On a scale from 1-10)

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0 Chelan Falls Beebe Bridge Daroga Park Orondo Park Entiat Park Lincoln Rock Rocky Reach Park (4) Park (39) (59) (19) (44) (99) (13)

Figure 5-16: Recreation Site Rating

During on-site interviews, visitors were asked to choose from a list of items that could make the site better. Figure 5-17 summarizes the results of responses received. Most visitors picked “something else”. Of items that were on the list, cleaner facilities and more docks received the most responses. Comments that were reported most frequently under “something else” included cleaner, better maintained, more, closer and free bathrooms/showers; taller and more trees; more sewer hookups, power, water, facilities; more privacy, larger campsites and more camp sites;

Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 Final Study Report SS/2434 Page 5-58 March 2, 2001 Recreational Use Assessment more moorage, fix docks, open both sides of some docks; more, less and reposition sprinklers; more dumpsters, garbage cans, recycling bins; better beaches, swimming areas and less seaweed; less geese and smell; concession stands and convenient store, less bees, allow dogs; and more phones. See Section 5.1.2 for more information regarding comments for each recreation sites.

Figure 5-17 Rocky Reach Recreation Sites - Comments (232 Responses)

60

50

40

30

20

10 Percent (%) of Responses

0 Higher water Cleaner Fewer More Better docks More docks Fewer loud Something level facilities people parking people else

Figure 5-17: Rocky Reach Recreation Sites - Comments

5.4.2 Activities Visitors were generally satisfied with recreation activities they participated in during their visit to the Project area. During peak-season on-site interviews, visitors were asked what their primary reason was for visiting the Lake Entiat area. Camping was the most popular reason followed by motor boating, water skiing, then enjoying the weather (refer to Figure 5-8). Visitors were asked to rate their primary activity on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. All activities received ratings greater than 8, except for visiting friends, which received an average rating of 6 (Figure 5-18).

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Figure 5-18 Primary Activity Rating

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Rating (on from 1 - 10) a scale 1 0

) 6) 4) 2) 04) ( ( (19) y ng ( ng (13 ng (1 iing (10) ener shi axi oning (12)k ounds c i oating (46) eather gr ng Dam (2)F ampi Rel Jets iti at C Picnicking (15) acati lay Swimming (3) ng W iting FriendsVis (3) Bo Water Skiing (22) V Motor B oyi ng P Vis nj si Viewing S E U Number of Responses ( )

Figure 5-18: Primary Activity Rating

Interview respondents were asked what could make their primary activity better for them. Interviewers read from a list of items that was tailored to receive information on things that Chelan PUD manages or things that will directly or indirectly measure demand and capacity such as availability of facilities, perceptions of crowding, lake levels, etc. Figure 5-19 shows responses received for the most popular activities. As discussed above, the most popular primary activities of interview respondents were camping followed by motor boating and water skiing.

Better docking was frequently reported as an item by mostly visitors whose primary activity was motor boating. Better docking could include better or improved docking facilities and/or more docks. Fewer people and fewer loud people were frequently reported by mostly respondents whose primary activity was water skiing. Better facilities was reported by mostly campers and motor boaters, and higher water level was reported mostly by motor boaters.

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FIGURE 5-19 Activity Comments (Which of these could have made your primary activity better for you on this trip?) 30%

25% Camping (104)

Motor Boating (46) 20% Water Skiing (22)

15%

10%

5%

0% Better docking Fewer people Fewer loud Better facilities Higher water Better parking Lower water Something people level levels else

Figure 5-19: Activity Comments

Responses were reported that were not on the list and are shown as “something else” on Figure 5- 19. These answers included cleaner, better maintained and more bathrooms; warm showers; cleaner and more trash bins; cleaner beaches - less geese, less milfoil and sand on beaches; more RV/sewer hook-ups; facilities in tent areas; more docks/moorage; less wind/wind breaks; more/fix sprinklers; observe and enforce quiet time; more play areas/swings/baby swings; bee traps; keeping the water level constant; removing stumps in middle of the lake and reducing debris in water; lower fees for boating and camping; more campsites; more walking trails; more picnic tables; more boat launches; swimming pool; fire pits; stocking smallmouth bass; selling wood at campground offices, and signs at some campgrounds saying no reservations - first come first served.

5.5 Visitor Spending During on-site interviews at the seven public recreation sites in the Project area, visitors who live outside of the Project area were asked to estimate the total amount of money that they spent in the Rocky Reach area on their trip. This includes camping fees, motels, restaurants, picnic supplies, gas boat tickets, and all the other things that they might spend money on in the area.

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Based on the 1999 peak-season interviews, the average amount spent per visitor per day in the Rocky Reach area was $15.00.

5.6 How Long Visitors Stay Approximately 85 percent of the visitors that were interviewed at the seven public recreation sites were staying overnight in the Rocky Reach Project area. Their average length of stay was 4.3 nights

Approximately 15 percent of visitors interviewed were day users with an average length of stay of 4.3 hours.

5.7 How Often People Visit Rocky Reach Project Area Interviewees at recreation sites were asked how many years they have been coming to Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) and about how many times a year they visit Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat).

Based on interview responses, visitors have been coming to the Rocky Reach Project area for an average of 7.9 years.

Interviewees stated that they visit the Rocky Reach Project area an average of 3.6 times per year.

5.8 Recreation Use Related to Day, Season, and Weather Daily visitor use at the seven developed public recreation sites in the project area for all seasons was generally over one and one/half (1 ½) times greater during the weekends than on weekdays (Figure 5-20).

As can be expected, visitor use during peak-season monitoring was significantly greater at the seven developed public recreation sites in the project area than during the off-seasons. The month of August received the most use. Average visitor use for all sites was higher during the fall than during the spring season monitoring (Figure 5-21).

When looking at individual sites, daily visitor use was higher during the peak-season than during the off-seasons for all sites. During off-season monitoring, all sites had higher average visitor use during the fall-season than during the spring-season, except for Rocky Reach Day Use area and Chelan Falls and Powerhouse Parks (Figure 5-22).

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Figure 5-20 Rocky Reach Recreation Sites - Daily Visitor Use

6000

5000 Weekday

Weekend 4000

3000

2000 Estimated Avg. # Visitors/Day # Avg. Estimated

1000

0 Peak-Season Fall-Season Spring-Season

Figure 5-20: Rocky Reach Recreation Sites – Daily Visitor Use

Figure 5-21 Rocky Reach Recreation Sites - Seasonal Visitor Use

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

Estimated Avg. # Visitors/Day Avg. Estimated 1000

500

0 Peak-Season Fall-Season Spring-Season

Figure 5-21: Rocky Reach Recreation Sites – Seasonal Visitor Use

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 5-63 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment

Figure 5-22 Seasonal Visitor Use/Recreation Site

1000

900 Peak

800 Fall

700 Spring 600

500

400

300 Estimated Avg. # Visitors/Day # Avg. Estimated 200

100

0 Rocky Reach Lincoln Rock Orondo River Entiat Park Daroga State Chelan Falls Beebe Bridge Day Use State Park Park Park Park

Figure 5-22: Seasonal Visitor Use/Recreation Site

During field monitoring, the field crew gave one of three ratings for weather: 1) excellent, 2), O.K., and 3) poor. Only ratings of “excellent” and “O.K.” were given on monitoring days indicating that the weather was fairly good on most days that monitoring was conducted. When comparing overall visitor use during monitoring days, visitor use was about the same on days rated as “excellent” as on days rated “O.K.” When looking at just weekend visitor use, 60 percent of visitor use was on days when the weather was rated as excellent and 40 percent was on days when the weather was rated as O.K.

5.9 Displaced Use and Relationship with Upper Entiat Valley USFS sites On-site interviews conducted during the summer of 1999 at developed public recreation sites in the Project study area provided information regarding displaced use. Based on these on-site interview responses, most visitors were displaced from recreation sites outside of the Project area to Project area recreation sites. Visitors displaced from Project area sites were found to generally go to other Project area recreation sites. Surveys were also conducted during the summer of 2000 at Entiat Park and USFS campsites to obtain additional information regarding whether displaced camping is occurring at USFS campsites and to obtain information regarding the interrelationship between Entiat Park and USFS sites. The surveys conducted at Entiat Park found no indications of displaced camping occurring at USFS campsites from Entiat Park and no survey respondents at USFS Campgrounds indicated that they were staying at a USFS campground because a Project area recreation site was too full or too crowded.

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The following sections provide further details regarding interviews conducted at Project area recreation sites and surveys at Entiat Park and USFS Campgrounds in the Entiat Valley

5.9.1 On-Site Interviews On-site interviews conducted at the seven developed public recreation sites in the Project area included questions regarding whether or not overnight visitors at recreation sites in the Project study area were displaced to other recreation sites because their first choice of a place to stay was either full or too crowded (Appendix D). Approximately 300 visitors were interviewed during the peak-season (1999) monitoring efforts. Approximately 85 percent of visitors interviewed stated that they were staying overnight in the project area and about 6.1 percent of these overnight interview respondents indicated that the recreation sites they were staying at were not their first choice of a place to stay. Table 5-15 provides a summary of the sites that visitors indicated were full or too crowded and the sites they ended up staying at. Approximately 3.7 percent of overnight Project area visitors interviewed (62.5 percent of displaced visitors) were displaced from recreation sites outside the Project area to Project area recreation sites. Around 2.4 percent of overnight Project area visitors interviewed (37.5 percent of displaced visitors) were displaced from Project area recreation sites including Lincoln Rock State Park, Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge Park. Most of these visitors ended up going to other Project area sites. Only .4 percent of overnight visitors interviewed were displaced from Project area sites to other areas.

Table 5-15: Displaced Use - Recreation Site Interviews First Choice of Place to Stay Overnight - Site was Full or Too Crowded Where Staying Overnight % of Overnight Visitors % of % of Overnight Interviewed Displaced Visitors Interviewed Recreation Site Displaced Visitors Recreation Site Displaced Lincoln Rock S.P. 0.8% 12.5% Daroga S.P. 0.8% Daroga S.P. 0.8% 12.5% Lincoln Rock S.P. 0.4% Orondo Park 0.4% Beebe Bridge 0.8% 12.5% Daroga S.P. 0.4% Other Areas2 0.4% Other Areas1 3.7% 62.5% Lincoln Rock S.P. 1.9% Daroga 0.7% Entiat Park 0.7% Orondo Park 0.4% TOTALS: 6.1% 100% 6.1% 1 Other Areas listed as first choice of place to stay overnight included Steamboat Rock, Orcas, Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Lake Chelan, Crescent Bar, Bridgeport, and a private cabin. 2 Other Areas listed as where respondents were staying overnight included "Airport"

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5.9.2 Entiat Park and USFS Surveys Entiat Park Surveys Survey questionnaires were handed out daily from May 11, 2000 to September 10, 2000 to visitors entering Entiat Park (see Appendix E for survey questionnaire). Over 750 survey questionnaires were filled out. Approximately 96 percent of survey respondents were from Washington State. The majority of survey respondents were from the Seattle Metropolitan area (42%) and from the local area (35%). Out-of-state survey respondents were from Oregon, B.C. Canada, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Montana, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Alaska.

The primary reasons survey respondents gave for visiting the area were camping (33%), picnic/lunch/visiting beach (21%), and stop-over between destinations/looking around (20%). Other reasons included boating (8%), using restrooms (4%), using playgrounds (3%), family reunions (3%), working at/visiting museum (2%), and special event, hiking, visiting others, swimming, sightseeing, bicycling and other day use (<1% each).

Survey questionnaires included questions regarding whether visitors were staying overnight in the area, where they were staying and whether the place they were staying at was their first choice of a place to stay. Over 250 survey respondents were staying overnight in the area. Their average length of stay was three nights.

Of survey respondents who stated that they were staying overnight in the area, almost 95 percent were staying at Entiat Park (236 survey respondents). Over 5 percent of overnight visitors surveyed were staying at the Lake Chelan area, church camps, Silico Saska, tent city, Winthrop, Cottonwood Campground and Friends of Entiat.

Of all overnight survey respondents, 3.6 percent indicated that they were displaced (the place they were staying was not their first choice of a place to stay). All displaced visitors ended up staying at Entiat Park. Approximately 2.2 percent of overnight visitors surveyed, or 55 percent of the displaced visitors, were displaced from other Project area recreation sites (Lincoln Rock State Park and Beebe Bridge State Park) to Entiat Park (Table 5-16). Approximately .4 percent of overnight visitors surveyed, or 11 percent of the displaced visitors, were displaced from a USFS Campground to Entiat Park. Another 1.2 percent of overnight visitors surveyed, or over 33 percent of the displaced visitors, were displaced from other areas (Lake Chelan Area and Confluence State Park).

Less than 1 percent of overnight visitors surveyed at Entiat Park were staying at a USFS Campground (Cottonwood Campground) and their primary reason for visiting the area was camping. Other activities they participated in during their visit were hiking and swimming. They were not participating in boating activities. They planned to be at Entiat Park for two hours and also planned to visit Lake Chelan and Silver Falls Campground and Trail during their visit to the area.

Survey respondents were also asked what other recreation sites in the area they will visit during their trip to the area. Approximately 2 percent of survey respondents staying overnight at Entiat

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Park were planning on visiting a USFS Campground during their visit. Sites they planned on visiting were Silver Falls Trail and Campground, Lake Creek Campground and Fox Creek Campground. These survey respondents indicated that their primary reason for visiting the area was camping. Hiking and sightseeing were other activities they planned on participating in during their visit to the area.

Table 5-16: Displaced Use - Entiat Park Surveys % of Overnight Visitors First Choice Recreation Site Interviewed Displaced % of Displaced Visitors Lincoln Rock State Park 1.6% 44% Beebe Bridge State Park 0.4% 11% USFS Campground 0.4% 11% Lake Chelan Area 0.8% 22% Confluence State Park 0.4% 11% TOTAL: 3.6% 100% All displaced visitors stayed at Entiat Park

USFS Campground Surveys Survey distribution and drop boxes were installed at USFS Lake Creek, Box Creek and Silver Falls campgrounds from mid-May through Labor Day. Visitors could voluntarily fill out questionnaires and place them in the drop boxes (see Appendix F for questionnaire). A total of 100 surveys questionnaires were filled out. Approximately 95 percent of the survey respondents were from Washington State. Most of the Washington State survey respondents were from the local area (50%) and from the Seattle Metropolitan area (28%). Out-of-state visitors were from Oregon, Utah, Texas, New Mexico and British Columbia, Canada.

The primary reasons survey respondents gave for visiting the area were camping (77%), hiking (12%), picnicking (2%), motorcycling (3%), just looking (2%), and fishing, annual visit, stopover between destinations, and own property nearby (1 percent each).

Survey questionnaires included questions regarding whether visitors were staying overnight in the area, where they were staying and whether the place they were staying at was their first choice of a place to stay. Eighty-eight (88) out of the 100 survey respondents were staying overnight and their average length of stay was two nights. All overnight respondents, except for three respondents, were staying at USFS campgrounds. The three survey respondents who were not staying overnight at USFS campgrounds were staying overnight at Wapato Point, a private property and Lincoln Rock State Park.

Of the overnight survey respondents, 16 percent indicated that they were displaced (the place they were staying was not their first choice of a place to stay). All, except for one, displaced visitors ended up staying at USFS campgrounds. Approximately 13 percent of overnight survey respondents, or 79 percent of the displaced visitors, were displaced from other USFS campgrounds (Table 5-17). USFS campgrounds that survey respondents were displaced from (survey respondents wrote down as their first choice of a place to stay) included Cottonwood,

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Fox Creek, Lake Creek, and Spruce Grove. One of the survey respondents wrote down "Ramona State Park" as their first choice of a place to stay. The respondent could have mistakenly meant Daroga State Park, which is within the Rocky Reach Project area. However, after reviewing the survey form, it was decided that it was more likely the survey respondent was displaced from the USFS Ramona Campground for the following reasons. The survey respondent ended up staying at the USFS Silver Falls Campground, which can be reached from Ramona Campground via USFS roads, and although the survey respondents primary reason for visiting the area was camping they also planned on hiking during their visit. Both the USFS Ramona Campground and Silver Falls Campground have hiking trails, whereas Daroga State Park does not.

Approximately 3 percent of overnight survey respondents, or 21 percent of displaced visitors, were displaced from recreation sites outside of the project area. Most of these visitors ended up staying at a USFS campgrounds; one survey respondent displaced from the Lake Chelan area went to Lincoln Rock State Park (Table 5-17).

Table 5-17: Displaced Use - USFS Campground Surveys First Choice of Place to Stay Overnight - Site was Full or Too Crowded Where Staying Overnight % of % of Overnight Overnight Visitors % of Visitors interviewed Displaced Interviewed Recreation Site Displaced Visitors Recreation Site Displaced Other USFS Campground 13% 79% Other USFS Campground 13% Lake Chelan Area 2% 14% USFS Campground 1% Lincoln Rock State Park 1% Bonaparts 1% 7% USFS Campground 1% TOTALS: 16% 100% 16%

Survey respondents were asked what other activities they planned on participating in during their visit. Most survey respondents who stated that their primary activity was camping also participated in hiking. Relaxing, sightseeing, fishing, boating, waterskiing, visiting the beach, and bear hunting were also mentioned. No USFS campground survey respondents indicated that activities such as boating, waterskiing, jetskiing, or visiting the beach (which would more likely occur in the Project area) were their primary reason for visiting the area. However, approximately 7 percent of survey respondents wrote down boating, waterskiing, jetskiing or visiting the beach as other activities they will be participating in during their visit.

The USFS campground survey questionnaire also asked a question regarding what other sites they will visit during their trip to the area. Thirty-one (31) percent of survey respondents stated that they would be visiting a recreation site within the Rocky Reach Project area.

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SECTION 6: SUMMARY

6.1 Monitoring Overview Monitoring efforts conducted in the Rocky Reach study area in 1999 and 2000 provided information regarding recreation use at public recreation sites and in Rocky Reach Reservoir (Lake Entiat) and along it shorelines. The studies also provided information about attitudes and opinions of visitors in the area. Monitoring activities in the study area included data collection, field observations by car and by boat and surveys. Seven public recreation sites in the Project area were monitored. In addition, observations by boat provided information on watercraft use in the Rocky Reach Reservoir and activities along undeveloped shorelines of the reservoir.

6.2 Distribution of Recreation Use Based on 1999/2000 monitoring, the month of August received the most visitor use. Summer months received over two times more visitors per day at recreation sites in the study area than the fall months. The fall months received more use than the spring months. For all seasons, average weekend use was about one and one-half times greater than weekday use.

Of all seven recreation sites in the study area, Lincoln Rock State Park received the greatest number of average visitors per day during the peak-season followed by Rocky Reach Dam Day Use area, Daroga State Park, Beebe Bridge Park, Entiat Park, Chelan Falls/Powerhouse Parks and Orondo River Park, respectively. During the fall-season, Lincoln Rock State Park received the greatest number of visitors per day that the park was open, followed by Rocky Reach Dam Day Use area, Beebe Bridge Park, Daroga State Park, Entiat Park, Chelan Falls/Powerhouse Parks and Orondo River Park, respectively. During the spring-season Rocky Reach Dam Day Use area received the greatest number of visitors followed by Lincoln Rock State Park, Daroga State Park, Beebe Bridge Park, Chelan Falls/Powerhouse Parks, Entiat Park and Orondo River Park, respectively.

6.3 Estimated use versus Estimated Physical Capacity During average peak-season weekends, Lincoln Rock State Park campground is near 100 percent of its capacity, Beebe Bridge campground is over 90 percent of its capacity, and Daroga State Park is over 80 percent of its capacity. The capacity of the Entiat Park day-use area is exceeded during peak-season weekends, due to the number of tent campsites allowed in the day-use area. The estimated number of visitors participating in day-use activities exceeds the parking capacity at Orondo River Park during peak-season weekends. Peak-season visitor use is generally below estimated site capacities at other sites, except on some holidays and busy weekends. Visitor use at all recreation sites monitored is generally well below site capacities on peak-season weekdays and during fall and spring seasons.

Review of site utilization based on average seasonal facility capacity threshold level definitions, showed Lincoln Rock State Park Campground and Beebe Bridge Campground to be between Well Utilized to Heavily Utilized during the peak-season and Daroga State Park Campground near the Well Utilized definition. Entiat Park day-use area is Heavily Utilized during the peak-

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 6-1 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment season, due to tent camping in the day-use area, and Orondo day-use area is considered between Well Utilized to Heavily Utilized. Visitor use at other park campgrounds and day-use areas during the peak-season were shown to be just over or below the Optimal Use definition. During the off-seasons, visitor use at all recreation sites is below the Optimal Use definition.

6.4 Activities Camping activity received the most use during peak-season monitoring. Picnicking had the second highest use during the peak-season followed by walking, boating and visiting the dam. Camping showed the highest activity use during the fall-season, while picnicking showed the highest use during the spring-season. Camping activity had the second highest use during the spring-season. Visiting the dam and walking were other popular activities documented during the off-seasons.

6.5 Watercraft Use Based on peak-season monitoring of Rocky Reach Reservoir, motorboats made up nearly 70 percent of the watercraft use. Personal watercraft (jetskis) made up 29 percent, non-motorboats made up one percent, and airplanes and windsurfers made up less than one percent of the watercraft use.

During the fall-season monitoring, all watercraft observed were motorboats. During spring- season monitoring, motorboats made up almost 80 percent of the watercraft. Jetskis made up over 14 percent and non-motorboats made up 6 percent of the watercraft observed.

Average watercraft use throughout Rocky Reach Reservoir was well below recommended boats per surface acre guidelines. During the busiest observation day, recommended boats per surface acre guidelines were exceeded in the reservoir between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge.

Based on recommended standards for a waterbody the size of the Rocky Reach Reservoir, there is adequate public vehicle/trailer parking spaces.

6.6 Dispersed Shoreline Use During boat runs, activities observed on the reservoir shoreline at undeveloped areas that were not monitored by other methods were highest during peak-season weekends. The most people observed along undeveloped shorelines were between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge and at a beach on Turtle Rock Island. Little to no activity was observed along undeveloped shorelines during the off-seasons.

6.7 Angling Activity Few watercraft were observed angling and relatively few people were observed fishing from the shore; the greatest number of anglers were observed during late summer of 1999, when Chinook salmon fishing was open in the reservoir.

6.8 Visitor Demographics Most visitors to recreation sites in the Rocky Reach Project area are from the Seattle Metropolitan area. During peak-season monitoring, over 60 percent of visitors were from the

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Seattle Metropolitan area and 21 percent were from the local area (Chelan and Douglas counties). Approximately 40 percent of fall-season visitors were from the Seattle Metropolitan area and 25 percent of park visitors were from the local area. Approximately 40 percent of spring-season visitors were from the Seattle Metropolitan area, while 31 percent of spring visitors were from the local area.

6.9 Visitor Spending Based on on-site interviews the average amount spent per non-local visitors per day was $15.00.

6.10 Visitor Satisfaction Visitors are generally satisfied with the recreation sites and activities in the study area. Visitors gave all recreation sites high rating. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best, visitors rated all sites an average of above 8.

Visitors also gave their primary activities high ratings. They rated all primary activities an average of 8 or above with the exception of visiting friends which was given an average rating of 6.

The most frequently reported comments regarding what could make sites and activities better included cleaner and better maintained facilities, better and more docks and moorage, more hookups and other facilities, taller and more trees, less wind, fixing sprinklers, fewer people and fewer loud people or enforcing quiet time. More motor boaters, than people involved in any other activity, responded with better docking. More water skiers responded with fewer people and more campers responded with cleaner/better facilities.

6.11 Displaced Use Based on on-site interview responses, most visitors were displaced from recreation sites outside of the Project area to Project area recreation sites. Visitors displaced from Project area sites generally go to other Project area recreation sites. Surveys conducted at Entiat Park only, found no indications of displaced camping occurring at USFS campgrounds from Entiat Park. No survey respondents at USFS Campgrounds indicated that they were staying at a USFS campground because a Project area recreation site was too full or too crowded.

6.12 Conclusion Overall the study area receives significant visitor use in late summer. Use during the fall and spring is relatively low. Based on the high ratings visitors gave recreation sites and the activities in the area, visitors are generally satisfied with recreation opportunities in the Rocky Reach Project area. Another demonstration of visitor’s satisfaction of the recreation resources in the study area is that most visitors have been coming to the area for several years (average of almost 8 years) and most visitors come back to the area several times a year.

Several recreation facilities are reaching capacity on occasion, especially during late summer weekends and on holidays. Future increases in use will result in more recreation facilities being used to capacity on more occasions. It is expected that generally future demands can be met with existing facilities except for during the busy summer weekends and holidays. Dispersed

Final Study Report Rocky Reach Project No. 2145 March 2, 2001 Page 6-3 SS/2434 Recreational Use Assessment shoreline use occurs along undeveloped shorelines, especially between Daroga State Park and Beebe Bridge and on Turtle Rock Island. Review of these areas, especially Turtle Rock Island should be continued to ensure that lands and waters are not degraded due to human activities.

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SECTION 7: REFERENCES

Duke Engineering and Services, Inc. 2000. Draft Rocky Reach Creel Survey, Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2145. October 2000.

NRPA (National Recreation and Parks Association). 1970. Recreation and Open Space Standards.

US Army Corps of Engineers. 1996. Visitation Estimation and Reporting System (VERS) Workshop. Waterways Experiment Station. Vicksburg, Mississippi.

US Forest Service. 1996. Techniques and Equipment for Gathering Visitor Use Data on Recreation Sites. Technology and Development Program. Missoula, Montana.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 1996. Wisconsin Administrative Code, Register, August, 1996, No 488. NR 1.91 Public boating access standards.

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Recreational Use Assessment

APPENDIX A: FIELD WORK CALENDAR

MAY 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

2345678

9 101112131415

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 Car Run

JUNE 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12345

67891011 12 Car Run Car Run

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Car Run Interviews

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Interviews Car Run

27 28 29 30 JULY 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 123 Car Run Interviews

45678910

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Car Run

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Interviews

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Car Run Car Run Interviews

AUGUST 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1234567 Car Run Car Run

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Car Run Interviews Car Run

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Interviews Car Run at LR, EP, RR 29 30 31 Car Run Interviews Interviews at CF, BB, DP, OP SEPTEMBER 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1234

5 6 78910 11 Car Run

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Car Run

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 Car Run

OCTOBER 1999 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12 Boat Run Car Run

3456789

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Car Run

17 18 19 21 22 23 Car Run

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Boat Run Car Run APRIL 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

2345678 Car Run

9 101112131415 Car Run

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Boat Run

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Car Run

30 31

MAY 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 123456 Car Run

7891011 12 13 Car Run

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Car Run Boat Run

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 Boat Run Memorial Day JUNE 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 123

45678910 Boat Run

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

JULY 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

2 345678 Boat Run

9 1011121314 15 Boat Run

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Boat Run

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 AUGUST 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12345 Boat Run

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Boat Run

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

SEPTEMBER 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12 Boat Run

3456789

Labor Day

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Recreational Use Assessment

APPENDIX B: CAR RUN FIELD DATA COLLECTION FORMS

Chelan County PUD 2000 Recreational Use Assessment - Rocky Reach Project Car Runs Date & day ______Weather ______1=Excellent, 2=OK, 3=Poor Time started ______Time ended ______) Other activity Campsites NO. SITE TIME Shore fishing Visiting beach/sunbathing Swimming/wading Motorboat load/unload "Jetski" load/unload Non-motorboat load/unload Nature study/photo Gathering/collecting Hang gliding Walking Hiking Backpacking Skating Jogging Picnicking Camping Off-road vehicle riding Bicycling on road Bicycling off-road Sightseeing Using playgrounds Group activity (volleyball, etc. 4 Chelan Falls Park 5 Beebe Bridge Park 6 Daroga State Park 7 Orondo River Park 8Entiat Park 10 Lincoln Rock State Park 11 Rocky Reach Dam

Chelan County PUD 2000 Recreational Use Assessment-Rocky Reach Project License Plate Information

For use on Car Runs Date & day ______Page ______of ______Time started ______Observer ______Time ended ______

SITE # ST PLATE NUMBER TRL

SITE # Enter site number. ST Enter two letter state or province abbreviation. PLATE NUMBER Enter Washington license plate numbers. For all other states and for personalized WA plates, enter nothing. TRL Enter an X in this column if the vehicle is pulling a boat trailer, otherwise enter nothing.

APPENDIX C: BOAT RUN FIELD DATA COLLECTION FORMS

Chelan County PUD 2000 Recreational Use Assessment - Rocky Reach Project Boat Run Tally Date & day Weather 1=Excellent, ______2=OK, 3=Poor Time started Observer ______Time ended ______Rocky Reach Dam Turtle Rock Island River Orondo Park State Daroga Park Beebe Bridge Wells Dam Motorboat angling Motorboat skiing\tubing Motorboat other\unidfd Nonmotorboat angling Nonmotorboat other "Jetskis" Airplanes Windsurfing *Shore angling *Swimming/visit beach *Nature study/photo *Gathering/collecting *Walking *Hiking Chelan County PUD 2000 Recreational Use Assessment - Rocky Reach Project Boat Run Tally Date & day Weather 1=Excellent, ______2=OK, 3=Poor Time started Observer ______Time ended ______Rocky Reach Dam Turtle Rock Island River Orondo Park State Daroga Park Beebe Bridge Wells Dam *Backpacking *Picnicking *Camping *Off-road vehicle riding *Bicycling off-road *Group activity *Other shore activity *NOTE: Do not include shore activity at Lincoln Rock State Park, Orondo Park, Entiat Park, Daroga State Park, Chelan Falls Park, Beebe Bridge Park or residential developments APPENDIX D: ON-SITE INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

ROCKY REACH 1999 RECREATIONAL USE ASSESSMENT VISITOR SURVEY

Hello, my name is ______, and I work for the Chelan County Public Utility District. We are conducting a survey of visitors to Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) and I have a few questions about your visit to the area.

1. How many people are in your party today? [Prompt: "Your party" is all the people you came here with and all the people you planned to meet here.] ______

2. What state do you live in? ______

3. If from Washington, ASK: What town do you live in? ______

4. I am going to read from a list of activities. Please tell me which of these activities you and others in your party will be participating in while you are here [Prompt: Choose as many as apply.]:

Swimming/visiting beach Viewing scenery Shopping Fishing (Boat, Shore) Walking/Jogging Using playgrounds Motor boating Hiking Off-road vehicle riding “Jetskiing” Backpacking Watching birds or wildlife/photography Water skiing Climbing/ mountaineering Berry picking/ food gathering Canoeing Hang gliding/ Paragliding Just passing through the region Windsurfing Bicycling (On-road, Off-road) Visiting the Dam Camping Rollerblading/Skateboarding Picnicking Golfing Some other activity ______

5. Now, thinking about this list of activities, which one of these best describes your PRIMARY reason for visiting the Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) area? ______

6. Are you staying overnight in this area? ______(If NO, GO TO Question 12) 7. If Staying overnight, ASK: Where are you staying? ______8. If Staying overnight, ASK: How many nights are you staying? _____ 9. If Staying overnight, ASK: Was this your first choice of a place to stay? [Prompt: Did you try to stay at other places that were full or too crowded?] ______10. If NO to Question 9, ASK: What was your first choice? ______

11. If Camping, ASK: Are you RV or tent camping? ______

12. If not staying overnight at this site, ASK: How many hours do you plan to be at this site today? ___

13. On a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the best, how has the [primary activity] been on this trip?______

14. I am going to read from a short list of things that might have made the [primary activity] better. Please tell me which of these could have made the [primary activity] better for you on this trip [Prompt: Choose as many as apply]? Higher water level Fewer people Better docking Lower water level Better roads Fewer loud people Better [primary activity] facilities Better parking Or could something else have made the [primary activity] better for you ______

15. On the same scale from 1-10 with 10 being the best, how do you like this site? [Prompt: Compared to other places you go to (primary activity).] ______

16. I am going to read from a short list of things that might make the site better. Please tell me what you think could make this site better [Prompt: Choose as many as apply]?

Higher water level Fewer people More parking Lower water level Better roads More docking Cleaner facilities Better docks Fewer loud people Or could something else make the site better ______

17. If camping at a different site, ASK: On the same scale from 1-10 with 10 being the best, how would you rate the camping area where you are staying? ______

18. If not10, ASK: What could have made the camping better? ______

19. If not a local resident, ASK: Please try to estimate the total amount of money that you will spend in the Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) area on this trip. [Prompt: This includes camping fees, motels, restaurants, picnic supplies, gas, boat tickets, and all the other things you might spend money on here.] ______

20. How many people are included in the group for which you estimated spending? __

21. How many years have you been coming to Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) for recreation? ______

22. About how many times a year do you visit Rocky Reach (Lake Entiat) for recreation? ______

23. That is all the questions I have. Is there anything else you would like for me to know about your visit to this area? ______

Thank you very much for your time this morning/afternoon and please enjoy the rest of your stay here. AFTER THE INTERVIEW, GET THE MAP and RECORD THE FOLLOWING: Site ______Time ______Day ______Date ______Interviewer ______

RECORD THE FOLLOWING ON ONLY ONE FORM AT EACH SITE: Number of empty cars with trailers at boat launch (that you did not survey) ______Total number of day users observed at this site ______Total number of campers observed at this site ______Comments: ______APPENDIX E: ENTIAT PARK SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

CHELAN COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project, FERC #2145

As part of acquiring a new federal license to operate Rocky Reach Dam, the Chelan County PUD is conducting this survey on recreation needs. If you want to know more about the relicensing process, please contact Michelle Smith at the Chelan County PUD, 663-8121 Ext. 6320

RECREATION SURVEY

Today’s Date: ______Time ______No. of persons: ______

1. What town/state do you live in?______

2. What is your primary reason for visiting this area? (choose one) Camping Special Event Hiking Boating Picnic/Visiting Beach Stop-over between destinations Other ______

3. What other activities will you be participating in during your visit? ______

4. Are you staying overnight in this area? NO (If NO, GO TO Question 9) YES 5. If Staying overnight, Where are you staying? ______

6. If Staying overnight, How many nights are you staying? ______

7. If Staying overnight, Was this your first choice of a place to stay? YES NO

8. If NO to Question 7, What was your first choice of a place to stay? ______

9. If not staying overnight at this site, How many hours do you plan to be at this site today? ______

10. What other recreation sites in the area will you visit during your trip to this area? Rocky Reach Dam Lake Chelan Beebe Bridge Park Daroga Park Chelan Falls Park Lincoln Rock State Park Orondo River Park Lake Creek (USFS) Fox Creek Campsite (USFS) Silver Falls Campsite (USFS) Silver Falls Trail (USFS) Other ______

11. What type of boating activity will you be participating in? water-skiing personal watercraft (ie: jetskiing) fishing sightseeing Other______

Thank you very much for your time and please enjoy the rest of your stay here.

APPENDIX F: USFS CAMPGROUND SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

CHELAN COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project, FERC #2145

As part of acquiring a new federal license to operate Rocky Reach Dam, the Chelan County PUD is working with the U.S. Forest Service to conduct this survey on recreation needs. If you want to know more about the relicensing process, please contact Michelle Smith at the Chelan County PUD, 663-8121 Ext. 6320

RECREATION SURVEY

Today’s Date: ______Time ______No. of persons: ______

1. What town/state do you live in?______

2. What is your primary reason for visiting this area? (choose one) Camping Special Event Hiking Boating Picnic/Visiting Beach Stop-over between destinations Other ______

3. What other activities will you be participating in during your visit? ______

4. Are you staying overnight in this area? NO (If NO, GO TO Question 9) YES 5. If Staying overnight, Where are you staying? ______

6. If Staying overnight, How many nights are you staying? ______

7. If Staying overnight, Was this your first choice of a place to stay? YES NO

8. If NO to Question 7, What was your first choice of a place to stay? ______

9. If not staying overnight at this site, How many hours do you plan to be at this site today? ______

10. What other recreation sites in the area will you visit during your trip to this area? Entiat Park Lake Chelan Beebe Bridge Park Daroga Park Chelan Falls Park Lincoln Rock State Park Orondo River Park Rocky Reach Dam Fox Creek Campsite (USFS) Silver Falls Campsite (USFS) Silver Falls Trail (USFS) Lake Creek (USFS) Other ______

Thank you very much for your time and please enjoy the rest of your stay here.

Rocky Reach Recreation Survey 2000 Chelan County Public Utility District