3316-XXXX Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Recreation Use Survey

OMB control #: 3316-XXXX

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Recreation Use Survey

for XXXX Reservoir

The University of Tennessee

Department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries

The information you provide will not be associated with your name, and will only be presented, if at all, in aggregate with the rest of the survey respondents

The following questions concern your visit to XXXXXX Reservoir on the day you were contacted by the TVA Recreation Survey Crew from The University of Tennessee at XXXXXX Reservoir. You do not have to go boating or be on the water to use XXXXXX Reservoir for recreational purposes. For example, recreation on XXXXXX Reservoir would include bank fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, sightseeing, walking along the shore, etc. Your participation is voluntary and your responses are strictly confidential. The information you provide will not be associated with your name.

1. On the day you were contacted by our survey crew, how many hours did you visit XXXXXX Reservoir for RECREATIONAL purposes? ____hours

2. In which of the following recreational activities did you or members of your party participate during that visit to XXXXXX Reservoir? (check all that apply)

Pleasure boating (including house boating) Horseback riding

Sailing Hiking, walking, jogging

Water-skiing/tubing/other tow Tent or vehicle camping

Riding a personal watercraft Sightseeing

Canoeing/kayaking Viewing wildlife

Fishing (from boat) Windsurfing

Fishing (from shore) Hunting

Swimming/beach use Bicycling

Mountain biking Picnicking

Other (specify: ______________________)

2a. What was your primary recreational activity during your visit to XXXXXX Reservoir?

Primary recreational activity: _______________________________________________

Continue 

3. Do you have a seasonal or permanent home in XXXX, XXXX, or XXXX County, Tennessee?

Yes  SKIP TO QUESTION 4

No

3a. Was visiting XXXXXX Reservoir the primary reason for your trip to the XXXXXX area?

Yes

No

3b. Did you stay overnight in one of the following counties surrounding XXXXXX Reservoir: XXXX, XXXX, or XXXX?

Yes

No  SKIP TO QUESTION 4

3c. How many nights did you stay in the XXXXXX Reservoir area on your trip?

_____ nights

3d. What was the main type of lodging you used on your trip? (check one box only)

Hotel, motel, resort, or rented boat

Rental house, cabin, or condo

Your own house, cabin, or condo

House, cabin, or condo owned by family or friends

Own boat

Boat owned by family or friends

Campground, rental RV site, etc.

Other (specify: _____________________________________________________)

3e. How many days did you recreate on XXXXXX Reservoir during your trip?

_____ days

4. During your trip to XXXXXX Reservoir, did you:

Share expenses with other people?

Pay only your personal expenses?

Pay for yourself and others?  How many people did you pay for including yourself?

____ Total number paid for

5. Please estimate the average amount you spent on this trip. Include all expenses at home preparing for this trip, while traveling to and from this reservoir from your home, and while visiting this reservoir. (If you paid expenses for other people, please include what you paid for yourself and others. If you did not have expenses, write “0”). (By BOAT we mean all motorized and non-motorized watercraft, including fishing, skiing, and pontoon boats, personal watercraft, houseboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats.)

ITEM SPENDING/DAY

Lodging:

No Lodging Expense N/A

Hotel or Motel $_______________

Bed & Breakfast or Cabin $_______________

Public or Private Campground for RV, Tent, Camper, etc. $_______________

Rental Home, Cottage, or Camper $_______________

Food & Beverages:

Meals (Food & Drinks) at Restaurants (including tips) $_______________

Food & Drinks Purchased at Convenience/Special Food Stores $_______________

Food Purchased at a Grocery Store or Supermarket $_______________

Transportation to and from the Reservoir:

Gasoline & Oil $_______________

Repair/Service for Automobile, Truck, SUV, or Trailer $_______________

Other Transportation (Bicycle, Motorcycle, ATV, etc.) $_______________

Other Transportation Costs (excluding Gas/Oil) (Please specify):_____________ $_______________

Boat (Motorized and Non-Motorized Watercraft):

Boat Rental Fees $_______________

Boat Repairs & Service $_______________

Entry, Parking, or Launch Fees on Public/Private Land $_______________

Gasoline & Oil for Boat $_______________

Other Expenses:

Entertainment (Museums, Amusement, etc.) $_______________

Retail Goods Other than Groceries (General Merchandise) $_______________

Horseback Riding $_______________

Camping supplies $_______________

Fishing supplies $_______________

Hunting supplies $_______________

Guide/Outfitter or Tour Fees $_______________

Fishing/Hunting Fees or Licenses $_______________

Other Types of Equipment Rentals $_______________ Souvenirs & Gifts $_______________

Other Expenses (please specify):__________________________ $_______________

TOTAL (ALL COSTS OF TRIP) $_______________

6. In an average year, approximately how many trips of 1 or more consecutive days do you make to XXXXXX Reservoir for recreational purposes each month? If you are a permanent or seasonal resident, 1 day or less = 1 trip.

(If you do not visit this reservoir in a specific month, write “0”.)

# of trips # of trips # of trips

_____ January _____ May _____ September

_____ February _____ June _____ October

_____ March _____ July _____ November

_____ April _____ August _____ December

7. There might be months when you make few or no trips to XXXXXX Reservoir. What are the main reasons why you make few or no trips to XXXXXX Reservoir during these months for recreational purposes? (Check all that apply)

I am a seasonal resident and do not live here during those months.

Children are in school

Air temperature is HOT

Air temperature is COLD

Water temperature is too HOT

Water temperature is too COLD

Water levels are too LOW

Water levels are too HIGH

Water cannot be accessed easily from my property

Water gets too crowded for shoreline activities (e.g. swimming, fishing)

Water gets too crowded for off-shore activities (e.g. boating, windsurfing)

I have other recreational interests during those months

Bad weather conditions

Other (specify: _________________________________________________________)

7a. If you checked more than one reason above, which one of these is the MAIN REASON for making few or no trips to XXXXXX Reservoir during certain months?

______________________________________________________________________

8. If there are certain months when you make few or no trips to this reservoir, what could be done at this reservoir to increase your trips during these months?

(Check all that apply)

Increase mountain biking trails

Increase hunting (archery-only, waterfowl)

Increase shoreline access for more fishing spots

Increase hiking trails

Create bird watching platforms

Increase trail maintenance (e.g. cutting trees and undergrowth back)

Increase fish stocking and variety

Increase or improve public facilities. Check from the list below that applies

• Add parking

• Add/maintain restrooms

• Add elevated boardwalks

• Add playgrounds

Increase public access to water

Improve user safety (lights, enforcement, etc.)

Increase the water level

Decrease the water level

Other (specify:__________________________________________________________)

Nothing would increase the number of days

9. Please rate your perception of the level of CROWDING at each of the following recreation areas you used on this trip to XXXXXX Reservoir.

(Check one response for each statement.)

	Did not use	Not at all crowded 1	2	3	4	Very crowded 5
Marina
Developed campground
Swimming area
Undeveloped sites
Boat launch area/ramp
Fishing pier or berm
Picnic area
Hiking, biking or horseback trails
Hunting
Parking lots

10. In general, using the list below, would you say the NUMBER on XXXXXX Reservoir is too few, about right, or too many?

(Check one response for each statement.)

	Too few	About right	Too many	Don’t know
Canoes/row boaters/kayaks
People
Personal watercraft/jet skis
Homes/cottages along the banks
Boat fishermen
Bank fishermen
Pleasure boaters
Sailboats
Commercial establishments
Campers

11. Overall, how would you describe the level of satisfaction with recreation experience at the XXXX reservoir during this trip? (Check one response for each statement.)

Completely dissatisfied

Somewhat dissatisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Somewhat Satisfied

Completely Satisfied

	Not a problem 1	2	3	4	Serious problem 5	Don’t know
Erosion of banks
Obstructions in the water
Muddy water
Water pollution
Visitor impacts on vegetation and soils
Visitor impacts on wildlife
Pollution of water from boats
Noise from personal watercraft or jet skis
Noise from boats (not including personal watercraft)
Alcohol use/abuse
Boats traveling too fast (not including personal watercraft)
Personal watercraft or jet skis traveling too fast
Personal watercraft “play” activities, e.g. “hot dogging”
Vandalism
Crime
Litter

12. In general, to what extent is each of the following a PROBLEM on XXXXXX Reservoir, if at all?

13. If you have any COMMENTS about problems or concerns on XXXXXX Reservoir, please provide them below.

This final section will help us understand more about recreation visitors to XXXXXX Reservoir. All responses to the following questions are confidential and are used for statistical purposes only. No question you answer on this survey will be linked to you personally in any analysis or report.

14. What is your zip code? If you are a seasonal resident, please give the zip code of your seasonal home. ________ Zip Code

15. What county do you live in? _________________________

16. Are you …? Male Female

17. Including yourself, how many people live in your household?

_____Adults _____Children (17 and under)

18. How many years of formal education have you completed? (check one box)

Less than high school Some college

High school degree or GED Bachelors degree

Associates or technical school degree Post-graduate degree

19. In what year were you born? 19__ __ Year born

20. What was your total gross household income in 2014 before taxes? (check one box)

Less than $20,000 $50,000 - $74,999

$20,000 - $34,999 $75,000 - $99,999

$35,000 - $49,999 $100,000 or more

Thank you for taking time to answer these questions

By returning this survey, you agree to participate in this survey research. Please return the questionnaire using the stamped, self-addressed envelope provided to:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.