OFF-SITE IMPACTS OF SOIL-EROSION ON RECREATION - THE CASE OF LAKE REDROCK RESERVOIR IN CENTRAL IOWA

Data were collected from licensed boat owners in eight counties in cen tral Iowa to assess the off-site impact of soil erosion on the quantit y and quality of recreational boating use of Lake Red Rock in central Iowa. Results showed considerable variability in the sample of boaters ' level of overall satisfaction with their recreation experience at La ke Red Rock. The study provides strong evidence that central Iowa boat ers are aware of problems associated with non-point pollution. The dat a suggests that 45% of the sample of recreational boaters decreased th e amount they use the reservoir as a result of excessive siltation. Ad ditional analyses showed a significant relationship between overall sa tisfaction and decreased recreational use of the reservoir (i.e., the more satisfied the boaters were with recreation at LRR the less likely they were to decrease the amount they use the reservoir).