Regional Recreation Demand Model for Large Reservoirs: User's Guide and Model forDocumentation, Version 1.0

摘要

This report is a user's guide and documentation of a regional recreation demandmodel estimated for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reservoirs. The software allows managers who use the model to predict recreation visitation and economic benefits at USACE or similar large reservoirs resulting from potential management actions. Access to information provided by this model has the potential to save time and resources when conducting economic appraisals of natural resource management plans. An estimated travel cost model predicts recreational use and benefits at USACE reservoirs in the Sacramento, Little Rock, and Nashville Corps of Engineers Districts. The data needed by the model are stored in databases that can be accessed through user-friendly computer screens to set up scenarios to evaluate impacts of management actions. There are 23 reservoirs currently in the database. For reservoirs not in the model's existing databases, the user can define the data needed by the model by means of screens that prompt the user to furnish information characterizing reservoir facilities and demographics of the surrounding market area. Resulting model predictions forecast day use and camping use visitation and economic benefits at large reservoirs. The software can be used by resource managers with limited background in economic analysis. The model complements a manager's detailed understanding of a reservoir, its facilities, its visitors, and characteristics of its market area. (MM).