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. FEDERAL ENERGY · REGULA!O.RY c ·or~u~,SSION
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:·• I'FIOJECT No. :71 H · · I
RECREA l'ION SURVEY f:1EPOR1i
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SUSITNA JOINT VENTURE
FINAL REPORT
NOVEMBER 1985
DOCUMENT No. 2967
Alaska Power Authority =======:=...J
Susitna, Fi!g Copy
File # 'f. S: ;)., if
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SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
RECREATION SURVEY REPORT
Report by
Harza-Ebasco 'Susi tna Joint Venture
Prepared for
Alaska Power Authority
Final Report
November 1985
Document No. 2967
Susitna File No. 4.5.2.4
NOTICE
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS CONCERNING
THIS REPORT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
THE ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY
SUSITNA PROJECT OFFICE
__ :;
~~
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section/Title
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE
1.2 BACKGROUND
1.3 STUDY APPROACH
2.0 RESEARCH METHODS
2 .1 RECREATION SURVEY STUDY AREA
2.2 LITERATURE SEARCH
2.3 QUESTIONNAIRE DEVELOPMENT
2.4 QUESTIONNAIRE DELIVERY
2.5 DATA ANALYSIS
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF RESULTS
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 OBSERVATION RESULTS
3.2.1 Introduction
3.2.2 Observation by Site
3.2.3 Observations of Vehicle License Plates
3.2.4 Summary
3.3 QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS
3.3.1 Introduction
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX D
3.3.2 Respondents' Profiles
3.3.3 Profile of Parties and Total Number of Visitors
3.3.4 Summary
Recreation Survey Questionnaire
Log Sheet
Recreational Use Estimates
Coding Map
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Page
1
1
1
2
3
3
10
11
13
14
16
16
16
16
17
21
23
24
24
25
38
61
L_ J
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I
I_
b
t_;
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Title
2-1 Recreation Study Area Literature
3-1 Vehicle Observations by Site
3-2 Dates When Observations at Developed Sites Equalled
or Exceeded Capacities
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-6
3-7
3-8
3-9
3-10
3-11
3-12
3-13
3-14
J-lS
3-16
3-17
3-18
3-19
3-20
Vehicles' License Plates by Site
Respondents' Occupations
Respondents' and Party Members' Residences
Respondents' Visits to the Sites Where They Received
Questionnaires, 1983 and 1984 ·
Visitations to Sites in 1983
Respondents' Dissatisfied with and Desiring Changes
at Sites
Reasons for Dissatisfaction with Sites
Site Changes Recommended by Respondents
Additional Recreational Opportunities for
Southcentral Alaska
Composition of Groups
Site of Last Night's Stay and Next Night's Stay
Parties' Accommodations by Site
Activities Pursued at All Sites
Parties' Activities by Site, July through September,
Parties' Activities by Site by Month, July, 1984
Parties' Activities by Site by Month, August, 1984
Parties' Activities by Site by Month, September, 1984
Parties by Site
iii
Page
12
18
20
22
26
28
29
30
31
33
35
39
40
42
44
45
1984 46
48
49
50
51
"
LIST OF TABLES (continued)
Table Title Page
3-21 Parties and People at Sites by Month 52
3-22 Parties' Destinations 54
3-23 Parties' Length of Stay by Site 55
3-24 Residences of Visitors by Site, July through
September, 1984 57
3-25 Visitors' Residences by Site, July, 1984 58
3-26 Visitors' Residences by Site, August, 1984 59
3-27 Visitors' Residences by Site, September, 1984 60
-'='~
~v
Figure
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
LIST OF FIGURES
Title
Susitna Hydroelectric Project, Recreation Survey Study
Area
Tangle Lakes Campground
Tangle River Campground
Paxson Lake Campground
Paxson Wayside
Brush kana Campground
v
Page
4
5
6
7
8
9
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE
In the vicinity of the Susitna Hydroelectric Project, information about
camping and other recreation activities such as hiking, all-terrain vehicle
(ATV) use, and berrypicking, is not well documented. With the development
of project-related access into the middle Sus itna River Bas in, potential
exists for these activities to increase significantly over existing condi-
t ions. In order to evaluate the effects this increase may have, more
information on recreation activities at sites in the project vicinity is
needed.
The purpose of the recreation survey was to obtain baseline recreation-
activity information for recreation sites in the project vicinity; that is,
along the Denali Highway and along the Richardson Highway near Paxson.
Results of the surveys are needed to refine projections of the Project's
impacts on recreation resources and ~o update the Project's recreation and
mitigation plans. Information collected in the survey included identifica-
tion of recreation users and their:
o Recreation facility utilization
o Satisfaction with recreation facilities
o Attitudes about the need for additional facilities
o Rates of participation in consumptive and nonconsumptive
activities
o Demographic characteristics
o Trip patterns
1.2 BACKGROUND
A recreation plan was prepared and presented in the Susitna Hydroelectric
Project's License Application submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory
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1
Commission in 1983. The purpose of the plan was to provide organized
recreational development for project waters and adjacent lands. Refinements
to the plan are being made based on information collected in and recreation
use estimates (see Appendix C) from this survey as well as on concurrent
research sponsored by the Alaska Power Authority.
1.3 STUDY APPROACH
Beginning in early June, 1984 an investigation of literature was conducted
to determine data collection priorities. Additionally, state and federal
land management agencies were contacted to obtain unpublished information
about recreational use of their lands and facilities. This preliminary
investigation resulted in the selection of the recreation survey study area
(study area), the data collection technique, and the questionnaire contents.
These selections are discussed in detail in Section 2.1
Concurrently, a reconnaissance of the study area was conducted and contacts
with local key informants were established. Individuals from Cantwell and
Paxson were identified to distribute questionnaires. Details about facility
design capacities were collected for campgrounds, waysides, and trailheads~
The reconnaissance resulted in refinement of the locations within the study
area where data would be collected. The data collection technique detailed
in Section 2.4 was also further refined to reflect more detailed knowledge
of the study area. This refinement resulted in the collection of data by
self-administered questionnaires placed on vehicles or tents located at
chosen locations within the study area.
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2.0 RESEARCH METHODS
2.1 RECREATION SURVEY STUDY AREA
The criteria used .to select the study area included proximity to the
proposed Susitna project site and similarity of recreational amenities
to those contained in the Susitna Project's recreation plan. Applying these
criteria led to selection of a study area that included the Denali Highway
and the portion of the Richardson Highway from Paxson to Paxson Lake
Campground. This area encompassed approximately 145 miles of road. Because
of the method selected for distributing questionnaires and the sparse popu-
lation along the Denali Highway, complete coverage of this distance would
have been very expensive. Therefore, key points for questionnaire distribu-
tion were chosen that were clustered near Paxson and Cantwell, where locally
hired surveyors could distribute questionnaires without traveling more than
100 miles per day.
showrt in Figure 2-1.
The area where these survey points were located are
Figures 2-2 through 2-6 show the facilities, designated capacities of, and
configuration of the developed sites in the study area. Paxson Lake Camp-
ground had 20 designated campsites, Tangles Lakes Campground had 14, Tangle
River Campground had 7, Brushkana Campground had 16, and Paxson Wayside had
4 picnic sites. In addition to the designated camping or picnic spots,
Paxson Wayside and Tangle River and Tangle Lakes campgrounds had areas
available for other vehicular parking. All campgrounds, most waysides, and
most trailheads within the study area were selected as survey pointsl/.
ll The Clearwater Creek Wayside was omitted because its long distance
from Paxson and Cantwell would have resulted in surveyors traveling over
100 miles. !railheads on the Denali Highway between the Maclaren River
(milepost 42) and Butte Lake Trail (milepost 94) were omitted for the
same reason.
424484
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3
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SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
RECREATION SURVEY STUDY AREA
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FIGURE 2-1
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FACILITIES
TABLES
FIRE RINGS
TOILETS
ENTRANCE SIGN
BULLETIN BOARD
REGISTER STAND
BOAT RAMP
TRANSH BARRELS
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TANGLE LAKES CAMPGROUND
14
14
4 (DOUBLE UNITS)
1
1
1
1
20
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ROUND
TANGLE
LAKE
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1984. Adapted from unpublished diagrams.
FIGURE 2-2
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TANGLE RIVER CAMPGROUND
DENALI HIGHWAY MILE 21.5.
0\
LAKE
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1984. Adapted from ·unpublished diagrams.
7
7
2
1
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17
1
1
FIGURE 2-3
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PAXSON LAKE CAMPGROUND
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16
STREAM
FACILITIES
TABLES
FIREPLACES
TOILET DOUBLE
ENTRANCE SIGN
BULLETIN BOARD
GARBAGE CANS
WATER WELL
20
20
2
1
1
26
1
" ... __. • . ... -. ~ .. ) . ""'--... 10
...
... ... ... JRAIL ...... ... ... --...... ......
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SOURCE: U.S. Burear of Land Management. 1984. Adapted from unpublished diagrams.
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PAXSON
LAKE
PAXSON WAYSIDE
FACILITIES
TABLES . 4
· FIREPLACES 4
TOILET,DOUBLE 1
ENTRANCE SIGN 1
BULLETIN BOARD 1·
GARBAGE BARRELS 1
BOAT RAMP 1
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FIGURE 2-5
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1984. Adapted from unpublished diagrams.
8
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BRUSHKANA CAMPGROUND
DENALI HWY PARKING LOT
FACILITIES
TABLES 16
FIREPLACES 15
GARBAGE BARRELS 16
TOILETS, DOUBLE 2
BULLETIN BOARD 1
REGISTER STAND 1
ENTRANCE SIGN 1
SHELTER 1
WELL 1
I
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I , ........ ,
' ... ' '·
LEGEND
WELL ..
BULLETIN BOARD -
TRAILS
TOILETS b-
SHELTER -
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1984. Adapted from unpublished diagrams.
FIGURE 2-6
Vehicles parked along the Denali Highway also had questionnaires placed on
windshields by surveyors traveling to or from designated distribution
points. The locations where these questionnaires were distributed were
recorded by surveyors to the nearest Denali Highway milepost number.
Questionnaires were also distributed at Byers Lake Campground and Lake
Louise Campground even though these campgrounds were located outside the
study area. These two locations were included to give the Alaska Department
of Natural Resources (ADNR) information that could be compared to that
obtained from the recreation study described in this report.
2.2 LITERATURE SEARCH
Two types of literature were examined to aid with the research design. The
first type included general recreational research and resulted in delinea-
tion of the data collection technique. The second type included research
specific to the recreation study area.
Since specific facility utilization information was needed, general popula-
tion survey techniques were deemed inefficient. A large samplE;! of the
general population would be necessary to ·obtain responses from users of
facilities in the study area. For example, the Institute for Social and
Economic Research (ISER) estimated that 2,000.urban residents would need to
be surveyed to locate _400 people who had pursued recreational activities ~n
the last y~ar somewhere in an area that includes, but is much larger than,
the recreation survey study area ( ISER, 1985). The telephone and mail
techniques most often used in these surveys (Wallwork, et al., 1981; ADNR,
1981) were therefore not appropriate for the purposes of this study.
Point or point access sampling techniques (Lucas, Schreuder, and James,
1971; Lucus and Oltman, 1971) were determined to be most appropriate since
point specific information, such as at trailheads and campgrounds, can be
424484
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10
~c
collected by either observation or survey techniques. This survey combined
techniques of Lucas and his associates with hand distributed questionnaires,
similar to techniques used by Howard, et al., (1976).
A review of literature specific to the recreation study area aided in the
identification of questionnaire content. The purpose for examining this
literature was to identify existing information about the study area,
thereby establishing data needs that could be met by this survey. The
s·ources for most of these publications were state and federal resource
management agencies (see Table 2-1).
2.3 QUESTIONNAIRE DEVELOPMENT
The questionnaire was developed in mid-June, 1984. The initial draft
reflected project data needs. This draft was reviewed by Harza-Ebasco' s
recreation, aquatic, terrestrial, and socioeconomic staff to insure data
needs would be met. The second draft reflected this internal review and the
limitations of questionnaire length and complexity that were dictated by the
research technique being used.
The second draft was presented to ADNR and BLM, the resource management
agencies responsible for regulating recreation development in or around the
recreation survey study area.
with these agencies' staff.
The final draft resulted from discussions
Final formatting was completed in conjunction with the printer. Spacing,
print size, and use of special characters (such as arrows and blocks) were
used as appropriate to produce an easy-to-read questionnaire (see Appendix
A). Since questionnaires were designed for distribution on vehicle
windshields, a durable weight "write-in-the-rain" paper was used.
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~
,-~
Table 2-1
RECREATION STUDY AREA LITERATURE
Sponsoring Agency
Alaska Department of
Natural Resources (ADNR)
Alaska Department of
Fish and Game (ADF&G)
U.S. Bureau of Land
Management (BLM)
Source: Harza-Ebasco, 1985.
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851206
Title
Alaska Outdoor Recreation Plan (1981)
Alaska State Park System: Southcentral
Regional Plan (1982)
Susitna Area Plan (1985)
Copper Basin Caribou Use: A Research
Update (Stratton, 1983)
' The Denali Highway Information Plan
(Miller et al., 1976)
The Denali National Scenic Highway
(1983)-interagency study
12
2.4 QUESTIONNAIRE DELIVERY
Questionnaires were delivered by two locally-hired surveyors, one from
Cantwell and one from Paxson. The Cantwell surveyor was responsible for
distr~buting questionnaires in the portion of the study area between
Cantwell and milepost 100 on the Denali Highway. The Paxson surveyor
distributed questionnaires in two areas, one between Paxson and milepost 40
on the Denali Highway and a second that included Paxson Lake Campground and
Paxson Wayside. Questionnaires distributed outside the study area (Byers
Lake and Lake Louise) were delivered by ADNR.
Questionnaires were delivered by placing them on windshields of vehicles
parked in campgrounds, waysides, and trail heads within the study area.
Additionally, at campsites that were obviously occupied but where no vehicle
was parked, questionnaires were placed on tents or with equipment.
Questionnaires were also placed on windshields of vehicles parked along the
Denali Highway but not located at designated distribution sites.
The completed questionnaires could be returned in three ways. They could be
dropped into a box attached to bulletin boards at campgrounds and waysides,
handed back to the individual delivering them, or mailed. Instructions for
returning the completed questionnaire were printed on the questionnaire (see
Appendix A).
The questionnaires distributed in the study area were delivered on a pre-
determined schedule from June 29 through September 30, 1984. They were
distributed on all Saturdays and those Fridays and Sundays that were state
or federal holiday weekends. There were five holiday weekends in the
period. A 50 percent random sample was taken of the remaining Fridays,
Sundays, and weekdays. This delivery schedule resulted in questionnaires
being distributed on 59 (63 percent) days within the distribution period.
Surveyors were required to maintain log sheets (see Appendix B) when distri-
buting questionnaires. The log sheets resulted in information that could be
424484
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used to estimate population use of each site, provide the basis for deter-
mining response rates, and determine similarities between the characteris-
tics of the observed parties and those responding to the questionnaire.
Within the stud-y area, 1,518 questionnaires were distributed and 503
completed (usable) questionnaires were returned, for a 33 percent response
rate. Ninety-six questionnaires were also returned from Byers Lake and Lake
Louise. The response rate for these two areas could not be determined since
no log sheets were completed.
Examination of returned questionnaires indicated that more than 33 percent
of the parties (groups) visiting the area and receiving questionnaires
responded to the survey. The "questionnaire" response rate was lower than
the "party" response rate because of the technique used to distribute
questionnaires and to log observations. Parties remaining at a site for
more than one day could receive more than one questionnaire s~nce
distribution was to all vehicles loc~ted at developed sites or elsewhere in
the study area on the sample days. Parties receiving more than one
questionnaire were given the opportunity to return them uncompleted with an
indication that a previous questionnaire had been completed. Not surpris-
ingly, few returned the questionnaires subsequently received. Only 1
percent of the returned questionnaires indicated that a previous question-
naire had been received; yet, over SO percent of those returning question-
naires were staying at the site where they were surveyed for more than one
day. Matching the respondents location and number of days at the site with
the distribution schedule show~d that at least half of those staying more
than one day probably received two or more questionnaires. This means that
at least 40 percent of the parties receiving questionnaires responded to the
survey.
2.5 DATA ANALYSIS
Returned questionnaires were examined for usefulness and those with no
information or obvious misinformation (about 1 percent) were rejected.
424484
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Responses deemed usable were coded and data files created on the State Main
Frame Computer. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS) computer software
system (SAS Institute Inc, 1982) was used to analyze the data base. Initial
response frequency counts were examined to determine response category,
recodes, and requirements for multiple variable analyses. Statistics
measuring the significance of association between variables are not reported
because this report's audience is expected to be mostly non-technical and
because of data constraints.
Data constraints which limit analysis techniques were produced by the
questionnaire's brevity and simplicity. Because questionnaires were
self-administered, the number of questions were few and the variables (and
questions) were kept simple. Responses to questions were also designed to
be simple. The resulting level of data is therefore simple and it is
difficult to determine ~omplex statistical relationships between more than
two or three variables.
The total number of responses for the study area and Byers Lake and Lake
Louise campgrounds appears high (nearly 600) but is too low for time and
site specific multi-variable analyses. For example, only 36 responses came
from Byers Lake and 22 of these were completed in September. An analysis of
hunters' place of residence would produce a table with hunting (yes or no)
on one axis and residence (about 6 categories) on the other axis. The
resulting 12 cell table would have the 22 respondents split unevenly into 12
categories, making meaningful statistical analysis impractical. Further-
more, the results from such a small sample could not be applied to the
entire population.
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3.0 DESCRIPTION OF RESULTS
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The description of results is presented in two parts. The first part,
Observation Results, reports the results from observations made by surveyors
of numbers and origins of vehicles parked at the study sites. These
observations were made on days and at times determined by the sampling
methodology. The second part, Questionnaire Results, reports the findings
from the questionnaires returned by respondents. The questionnaire
responses have been divided into two sections by questions which pertained
specifically to the respondent (i.e., occupation) and by those which
pertained to the respondent's whole party (i.e., trip length).
3.2 OBSERVATION RESULTS
3.2.1 Introduction
This section presents the results of vehicle observations. These observa-
tions were made by surveyors' while distributing questionnaires at the study
area sites. The sites can be categorized in the following ways:
1) Developed recreation sitesl/ -Paxson Lake, Tangle Lakes, Tangle
River, and Brushkana campgrounds, and Paxson Wayside.
ll Developed sites at Byers Lake and Lake Louise are outside the study area
and therefore, are not included here because no observations were made at
these sites. However, questionnaires were distributed on a periodic
basis and therefore, results for these two sites have been incorporated
into the chapter on Questionnaire Results.
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2) !railheads -Swede Lake, Landmark Gap, Glacier Lake, Sevenmile
Lake, Pioneer Access, Old Denali Road, Jim Grimes, and Butte Lake
trail heads.
3) Mileposts -Denali Highway milepost numbers 0 through 40 and 90
through 134.
The numbers of vehicles observed are presented by day, month, and by
location. The numbers of vehicles are also categorized by the license
plates displayed on the vehicles (i.e., Alaska, other U.S. states, foreign)
and are presented by the locations where the vehicles were seen. In
addition, for developed campgrounds, the numbers of vehicles are noted with
respect to the sites' designed capacities. Where the numbers of vehicles at
the developed sites exceeded the designed capacities of the sites, the dates
of such occurrences are reported.
The main unit of analysis is the parked vehicles observed (observations) at
developed sites, trailheads, or along the Denali Highway. The total number
of observations during the study period was 1,512.
3.2.2 Observations by Site
Seventy-four percent (1,115) of the observations were at developed sites, 12
percent (210) were at trailheads, and 13 percent (193) were at milepost
locations (see Table 3-1). Paxson Lake Campground was the developed site
where the most vehicle observations, 21 percent (316), occurred. This was
also the location where the greatest number of observations (43) occurred at
a single time in July. Swede Lake Trailhead accounted for 10 percent (152)
of the 12 percent (210) total vehicle observations for trailheads. To-
gether, the 7 other trailheads accounted for 2 percent (58) of the vehicles
observed.
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Observations of from 1 ·to 3 vehicles were common at different
17
Table 3-1
VEHICLE OBSERVATIONS BY SITE
Site Number Percent
Developed Sites
Paxson Lake Campground 316 21
Paxson Wayside 150 10
Tangle Lakes Campground 252 17
Tangle River Campground 212 14
Brushkana Campground 185 12
------------------------------------------------------
Subtota.l 1' 115 74
Trailheads
Swede Lake 152 10
Landmark Gap 22 1
Glacier Lake 4 * Seven-mile Lake 3 * Pioneer Access 5 * Old Denali Road 1 * Jim Grimes 6 * Butte Lake 17 1
------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal 210 12
Mileposts
Denali Highway Mileposts 193 13
------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal 193 13
TOTAL 1,518 99~
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01,"
(February, 1985.)
NOTES: * equals less than one percent
~/ Percentages does not total 100 due to
rounding.
424484/TBL 18
851203
milepost locations for a total of 193 for all milepost locations. On
September l, 1984, the day moose hunting season opened, 42 vehicles were
observed between mileposts 105 and 127. This represented the greatest
number of observations along a portion of the Denali Highway during the
summer.
3.2.2.1 Daily observations by site. Daily observations at the developed
sites showed that vehicles parked wherever possible when designated spots
were full. (See Figures 2-2 through 2-6 for configurations and capacities
of developed recreation sites.)
Additional observation data show that, at times, each of the developed
sites, except Brushkana, had an equal or greater number of vehicles at the
sites than the designed camp/picnic spots could accommodate. Such circum-
stances occurred at Paxson Lake 13 percent of the time that observations
were made,
percent of
at Paxson Wayside 42 percent of the time, ...
the time, and at Tangle Lakes 17 percent
at Tangle River 40
of the time. At
Brushkana Campground, the number of vehicles counted was never equal to or
greater than the number of designated campsites11. In fact, 92 percent of
the time the number of vehicles was less than half the number of available
sites.
Table 3-2 shows dates when the capacities of Paxson Lake, Tangle River, and
Tangle Lakes campgrounds and Paxson Wayside were reached or exceeded. The
heaviest use period for the four sites as indicated by the numbers of
vehicles at the sites on specific days, was during the weekend before the
week of July 4. Although the campsites at Brushkana were never full, the
'1./ Observations at Brushkana Campground were made in the midafternoon,
usually between 2 and 5 pm. Therefore, it is possible that additional
vehicles could have stopped at Brushkana (and all other sites) after
observations were made causing the camping sites to fill, overfill, or
even become less full. However, many parties remained at the campground
for several nights and survey results show crowding was not generally
considered a problem.
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19
N
0
l.i
SITE
Paxson Lake
Campground
Cap. 20
Paxson Wayside
Cap. 4
Tangle Lakes
Campground
Cap. 14
Tangle River
Campground
Cap. 7
Brush kana~/
Campground
Cap. 16
June
Sa
30
43
18
-
-
10
.1 I. 1\,111 I;
Table 3-2
DATES WHEN OBSERVATIONS AT DEVELOPED SITES EQUALLED OR EXCEEDED CAPACITIES
(NUMBER OF OBSERVATIONS)
DATES
July August
s M Th F T Th Sa s T Th F Sa F Sa T w Sa s
1 2 5 6 10 12 14 15 17 19 20 4 10 11 14 15 18 19
-* 34 -25 -24 * -------* - -
-* 20 8 - -
16 * --10 -6 8 4 * 6 8
40 14 17 - ---14 --* -* -* --*
26 19 25 - -14 -9 8 7 * -* -* 10 -*
- ----* ---* * 15 * -* --*
September
M Sa s M Sa Sa
20 1 2 3 8 15
* --* --
* 5 9 * -6
16 -----
8 --10 7 8
-12 ----
----~ ···-----------------
NOTES: * means days were not in the sampling frame for that site.
~/ No observations which equalled or exceeded capacity were made at Brushkana Campground. The number
of observations shown are for dates when observations were at or over one-half capacity.
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01,11 February, 1985.
424484/TBL
851203
I
I
I
!
greatest recorded use occurred on June 30, August 4, and September 1 when
vehicles were parked at more than half the campsites.
3.2 .2 .2 Observations by month. Of the 1, 518 vehicle observations made
during the study, 40 percent (609) were in July, 29 percent (433) were in
August, and 31 percent (476) were in September. In July, the greatest
number of vehicles observed at a single site (43) occurred at Paxson Lake
Campground. An equally great number of vehicles (42) were noted between·
mileposts 105 and 127 in September. By comparison, the greatest number at
one site in August was 16 at Tangle Lakes Campground.
3.2.3 Observations of Vehicle License Plates
The numbers and percentages of vehicles at all study sites (1,512)1/ are
described according to the license plates the vehicles displayed i.e.,
Alaska, other U.S. states, or other countries. This information (see Table
3-3) gives an idea of the origin of those who used sites in the study area
during the summer of 1984. Clearly, no definite conclusions can be drawn
about peoples' origins or site preferences without more detailed information
from the visitors themselves. Some of this information is available from
the returned questionnaires and is discussed in Section 3.3.
Vehicles licensed in Alaska represented 88 percent ( 1, 334) ·of the observed
vehicles; vehicles from other states comprised 11 percent (168); and foreign
vehicles comprised 1 percent (10). (See Section 3.3 for more detailed
information on where visitors were actually from.) Of the 1,334 Alaskan
vehicles, 71 percent (953) were seen at the developed sites over the course
l/ Missing data equals 6.
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Table 3-3
VEHICLES' LICENSE PLATES BY SITE
Place of Origin I Other Foretgn
Site Alaska US States Countries TOTAL I
I
Developed Sites I
Paxson Lake Campground 283 33 0 316
21% 20% 0% 21%
Paxson Wayside 144 6 0 150 I 11% 4% 0% 10%
J
Tangle Lakes Campground 212 38 3 253 I
16% 23% 33% 17%
I
Tangle River Campground 181 31 0 212 I
14% 18% 0% 14%
Brushkana Campground 133 46 6 185
10% 27% 66% 12%
Trailheads
Swede Lake 144 1 0 145
11% 1% 0% 10% !
Landmark Gap 21 1 0 22 I 2% 1% 0% 1%
I
. Glacier Lake 4 0 0 4 !
* 0 0% * I
Seven-mile Lake 3 0 0 3 I
* 0% 0% * I
Pioneer Access 5 0 0 5 I
I * 0% 0% * I
I
Old Denali Road 1 0 0 1 I
* 0% 0% * i
Jim Grimes 6 0 0 6 I
I
* 0% 0% * I
Butte Lake 15 2 0 17
! 1% 1% 0% 1%
I
Other 182 10 1 193 I
Denali Highway Milepost 14% 6% 1% 15%
1,334 (88) 168 i}l) 10 (1) 1,512 i}OO)
TOTAL 100% 101%-100% 101%-
------------------·-···· ------------------------------------L__ --------
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01", February, 1985.
NOTES: * equals less than one percent.
Column percents are below actural numbers in each cell. In the TOTAL
rqw, row percents are in parentheses to the right of actural numbers.
~I percentage does not total 100 percent due to rounding.
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22
of the three month study period. Paxson Lake Campground was the location of
21 percent (283) of the Alaskan vehicles, Paxson Wayside the location of 11
percent (144), Tangle Lakes, the location of 16.percent (212), Tangle River,
14 percent (181), and Brushkana, the location of 10 percentl/ (133).
Approximately fourteen percent (199) of the total 1, 334 Alaskan vehicles
were observed at trailheads; 72 percent (144) of these were at Swede Lake
trailhead. The remaining 14 percent (182) of Alaskan vehicles were observed
between Denali Highway mileposts 0 and 40 and between mileposts 90 and I34.
Vehicles with licenses from the Lower 48 states (168) were observed almost
exclusively at developed sites. That is, 92 percent (154) were at developed
sites with the majority at Brushkana, while 6 percent (10) were at different
mileposts and 3 percent (4) were distributed among trail heads. The 10
foreign vehicles comprising 1 percent of all vehicles were located at 3
locations: 6 were at Brushkana Campground, 3 were at Tangle Lakes
Campground, and 1 was at milepost 128.
3.2.4 Summary
A total of 1, 512I/ vehicle observations were made by surveyors at devel-
oped sites, trailheads, and at mileposts 0 to 45 and 90 to 134 along the
Denali Highway during the summer (July, August, and September) of 1984. The
developed sites (Tangle Lakes, Tangle River, Paxson Lake, and Brushkana
campgrounds, and Paxson Wayside) accounted for 75 percent of all observa-
tions while Paxson Lake Campground accounted for the largest proportion of
these. At the same time, Swede Lake Trailhead was the site of the greatest
number of vehicles observed at trailheads. Similarly, a record of the
lf Percentages do not equal 71 percent due to rounding.
1/ Missing data equals 6.
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23
license plates displayed by the observed vehicles showed that the most.
Alaska vehicles at a developed site were at Paxson Lake Campground and the
most at a trailhead were at Swede Lake. Overall, 88 percent of the license
plates were from Alaska, 11 percent were from other U.S. states, and 1
percent were from foreign countries. Brushkana Campground was the developed
site where the most licenses from other states and foreign countries were
observed.
All developed sites, but Brushkana Campground, had times when they were at
or over capacity at the time of day when observations were made. The
heaviest use period (according to the number of vehicles present) was the
weekend before July 4. July was also the month when the greatest percentage
of vehicles (40%) for the entire period and the greatest number for a single
site and day (43 vehicles) were observed. The second greatest percentage
for the summer (31%) and number for a single site and day (42 vehicle) were
observed in September.
3.3 QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTsl/
3.3.1 Introduction
The following discussion of survey results presents questionnaire responses
in two ways. First, there are questions and answers that pertain
1/ As noted in the research methods section, Byers Lake and Lake Louise
campgrounds were not included in the study area and survey distribution
procedures at these locations were different from those in the study
area. For ease in reporting, results for these locations are presented
together with those for study area sites. Caution is advised when
comparing and interpreting results from these two locations with those
from study area sites where survey distribution procedures were tightly
controlled.
424484
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specifically to individual respondents. These questions address the
respondent's sex, occupation, residence, and the in4ividual's attit~des
about the site, the need for additional recreation opportunities Ln
southcentral Alaska, and his/her previous and future visits to the site. In
this discussion, the answers to these questions are attributed solely to the
individual who filled out and returned the questionnaire. Therefore, the
maxLmum number of responses is equal to the-total number of returned
questionnaires, 599 (including responses from Byers Lake and Lake Louise
campgrounds).
The second set of questions and answers are attributed to the respondent as
well as to all members of his/her party since the respondent is asked to
serve as the spokesperson for the party. The answers to these questions can
be generalized to the party. The maximum number of parties is also equal to
the number of returned questionnaires (599), but the unit of reference is
the party. In some cases, the answers to these questions apply to each
person in the respondent's party. Thus, the maximum possible number of
responses to these questions equals the total number of persons in all
parties represented in the survey (or total number of visitors to the
sites), 2,141.
3.3,2 Respondents' Profiles
3.3.2.1 Sex, occupation. A total of 583 persons responded to the question
about sex. Of these, 68 percent ( 397) were_ male and 32 percent (186) were
female. An equal number of persons responded to the question on occupation.
The findings on occupation are presented in Table 3-4. As shown, the
greatest percentage of persons in a single category were professionals/-
technicians/ managers, 37 percent (218). Retired persons made up the second
largest group with 18 percent ( 104). Clerical, sales, and service workers
were third with 13 percent (75) and construction, operations, mining and
transportation workers were fourth with 12 percent (68). Four other
categories, agriculture/fishing/forestry/recreation, armed forces,
unemployed/homemakers, and miscellaneous, accounted for the remaining 20
percent of the respondents' occupations.
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25
Table 3-4
RESPONDENTS' OCCUPATIONS
Occupation Number Percent
Professionals/Technicians/Managers 218 37
Clerical/Sales/Service 75 13
Construction/Operations/Mining/Transportation 68 12
Agriculture/Fishing/Forestry/Recreation 18 3
Armed Forces 32 5
Unemployed/Homemakers 46 8
Retired 104 18
Miscellaneous 22 4
TOTAL 583 100
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
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26
3.3.2.2 Residence. The residences of the 596 respondents (three persons
did not answer the residence question) are shown in Table 3-5. The
Anchorage area, other U.S. states, and the Fairbanks area were the
residences recorded most commonly by respondents. These three areas
accounted for 78 percent of all residences, with the Anchorage area at 32
percent (192), other U.S. states at 26 percent (149) and the Fairbanks area
at 20 percent (122). Four other regions were each represented by less than
10 percent of the respondents.
3.3.2.3 Site visits in 1983 and 1984. When asked how many times they visi-
ted the site they were surveyed at in 1983, 64 percent (375) of the respon-
dents said they had not visited the site that year (see Table 3-6). An
additional 19 percent (108) of the respondents had only visited it once.
The remaining 17 percent visited it two or more times. When this informa-
tion is broken down by location as shown in Table 3-7, it is apparent that
the greatest percentage (19%) of people returning to a site for the second
(or more) time went to Brushkana Campground. The next two most popular
spots were Paxson Lake Campground (with 18 percent returning two or more
times) and Tangle River Campground (with 16 percent returning two or more
times).
To assess expected visitation, respondents were also asked to estimate the
· total number of times they expected to visit the site they were at in 1984
(see Table 3-6). Sixty-four percent (359) of the respondents expected this
1 visit to be their last while 17 percent (94) thought they would return
once more. Fourteen percent ( 77) thought they would come back 3 or more
times.
3.3.2.4 Dissatisfaction with and recommended changes at sites. Two
questions asked respondents to evaluate the sites where they were surveyed.
These two questions asked respondents' satisfaction with the sites and
changes they would like to see there. Table 3-8 shows the "percentages of
dissatisfied respondents
desiring changes by site.
of dissatisfied people.
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at each site and the percentages of respondents
Paxson Wayside had the greatest percentage (31%)
The next highest percentages of dissatisfied
27
"~
Table 3-5
RESPONDENT'S AND PARTY MEMBERS' RESIDENCES
Respondents Party Members.£/
Residence.!/ Number Percent Number Percent
Anchorage Area 192 32 691 33
Fairbanks Area 122 20 411 19
Mat-Su Area 44 7 15~/ 7~.1
Railbelt Area 8 1
Other AK Areas 48 8 177 8
Other U.S. States 149 26 582 28
Outside U.S. 33 6 93 4
TOTAL 596 100 2,108 99~./
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01,"
February, 1985 •
NOTES: .!I
,£1
!:_I
2.1
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The boundaries of the areas of residence in
Alaska are shown in Appendix D.
Party members' residences were deduced from
information supplied by the respondents. In
some cases, no residences for group members
could be inferred, consequently, the total
number of group members shown is less than
the number included in the survey.
Percentage does not total 100 due to
rounding.
Number represents total for both Mat-Su
and Railbelt areas.
28
Visits
No Visits
One Visit
Two Visits
Table 3-6
RESPONDENT'S VISITS TO SITES
WHERE THEY RECEIVED QUESTIONNAIRES
1983 and 1984
1983~/ 198~/
Number Percent Number
375 64 33E..I
108 19 359
49 8 94
Percent
6
64
17
Three Visits 23 4 38 7
4 or more Visits 28 5 39 7
TOTAL 583 100 563 1015!/
SOURCE: Harza.,-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01,"
February, 1985.
NOTES: aj
~I
E.. I
5!1
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Actual numbers for 1983.
Estimated numbers, counting current visit in
1984.
These 33 respondents indicated they were
not visiting the site where they received the
questionnaire even though that is where they
completed the questionnaire. It is assumed
that they were passing through the site when
they received the survey and did not interpret
this as a visit.
Percentage does not total 100 due to rounding.
29
Table 3-7
VISITATIONS TO SITES IN 1983
Site None One Two or More TOTAL
Tangle Lakes 87 27 13 127
Campground 23% 25% 13% 22%
Tangle River 37 13 16 66
Campground 10% 12% 16% 11%
Paxson Lake 83 24 28 125
Campground 22% 22% 18% 22%
Paxson Wayside 21 4 10 35
6% 4% 10% 6%
Brush kana 60 12 19 91
Campground 16% 11% 19% 16%
Byers Lake 22 7 6 35
Campground 6% 7% 6% 6%
Lake Louise 41 7 12 60
Campground 11 7 12% 10%
Denali Highway 21 13 5 39
Mileposts 6% 12% 5% 7%
TOTAL 372 107 99 578
100% 100% 99%~../ 100%
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer run, SAS Program "Survey 01,"
February, 1985.
NOTES:
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Cqlumn percents are below actual numbers in each cell.
~I Percent does not total 100 due to rounding.
. 30
SOURCE:
NOTE:
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Table 3-8
RESPONDENTS DISSATISFIED WITH
AND DESIRING CHANGES AT SITES
Changes
Site Dis satisfied Desired
Tangle Lakes 21 45
Campground 16% 37%
N=l28 N=l21
Tangle River 9 23
Campground 13% 37%
N=68 N=63
Paxson Lake 17 47
Campground 13% 38%
N=l26 N=l21
Paxson 11 19
Wayside 31% 54%
N=35 N=35
Brush kana 9 21
Campground 9% 23%
N=96 N=93
Byers Lake 3 15
Campground 8% 45%
N=36 N=33
Lake Louise 13 28
Campground 22% 51%
N=60 N=55
Denali Highway 6 5
Milepost 15% 14%
N=39 N=37
------
Harza.,-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01,"
February, 1985.
Percentages below actual numbers represent the
percent of respondents at each site who were
dissatisfied or desired changes.
31
respondents were located at Lake Louise and Tangle Lakes campgrounds with 22
and 16 percent, respectively. On the other hand, Brushkana and Byers Lake
campgrounds were the sites of the greatest percentages of satisfied respon-
dents. Not surprisingly, Paxson Wayside was also the site where the great-
est percentage of respondents (54%) wanted changes. However, responden'ts at
each site except the Denali Highway mileposts wanted approximately twice as
many (or more) changes than the levels for dissatisfaction indicated. That
is, responses showed that some people could be generally satisfied and still
desire changes.
Respondents who were dissatisfied and those who wanted changes were asked to
specify the reasons for their dissatisfaction and the changes desired. The
reasons and the recommended changes were tabulated by location and are
presented in Tables 3-9 and 3-10. To summarize, at Tangle Lakes, Tangle
River, and Brushkana campgrounds the most frequently cited reason for
dissatisfaction was the lack of firewood. At Paxson Lake Campground and
Paxson Wayside, the most frequently.noted dissatisfaction was that there was
no boat ramp, while at Lake Louise the main dissatisfaction was with the
condition of the boat ramp. At Paxson Wayside, the small size of the area
and overcrowding were mentioned as often as the dissatisfaction with not
having a boat ramp. Finally, at Byers Lake Campground, the eroded and
unsightly condition of the trail around the lake was mentioned most as a
source of dissatisfaction.
With regard to recommended changes, it is surprising that the most
frequently noted desired changes did not necessarily correspond to the
sources of dissatisfaction previously mentioned. For example, at Tangle
Lakes and Tangle River campgrounds, respondents were a little more concerned
about a change that would provide safe drinking water than one which would
provide their most frequently noted dissatisfaction, the lack of firewood.
However, the desire for firewood was mentioned second most often at both
sites. Similarly, at Lake Louise Campground the most frequently mentioned
change was the need for more campsites although the need for boat ramp
repairs was also mentioned second most often.
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32
At Brushkana Campground
Table 3-9
REASONS FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH SITES
Site Frequency!./
Tangle Lakes
Campground
Tangle River
Campground
Paxson Lake
Campground
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8
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
1.
1
1
1
1
1
8
5
4
4
2
2
1
1
Comments.!:/
No firew6od
Not enough tables
Access road needs improvement
Restroom is in poor condition (i.e., door missing)
Pump is· not working
Three-wheelers tear through sites
Campground needs grading
Vegetation needs protection
Generator runs late at night making a lot of noise
No trees
Too many people and regulations
Not enough trash barrels
No signs showing canoe and other trails
People camp on the road to lake
No firewood
Need safe drinking water
Pump not working
Dangerous road conditions; need more, flatter parking
Unsanitary restrooms
Noisey 3-wheelers and motorcycles
No dump station
Not enough privacy
Sites not level
Litter
No boat ramp
No firewood and people cutting wood in site area
Rafters park in camping area, no sites left for
campers
No water
Boat launch area is inconvenient (4 miles away)
Tent sites lumpy and swampy
People shooting guns
Not close enough to lake
33
Table 3-9
REASONS FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH SITES (continued)
Site Freq uency!:..l Connnents'E../
Paxson Wayside 3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
Area too small and crowded
Brush kana
Campground
8
2
2
1
1
1
1
No boatramp and parked cars block boats and trailers
Not enough level ground
Area not designed for camping
Not enough garbage cans/dumpster
No fresh water
Boat launch area too soft, get stuck
Too small a launching area
No firewood
No firewood
Too many people
Outhouses
Camping areas undefined
Site too small
Firepits in disrepair
Hard to get in and out with 22 ft. trailer
Lake Louise
Campground
6
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Boat launch in bad condition, needs work
No drinking water
Byers Lake
Campground
2
1
1
Sites too close together, no privacy
RV's and campers take tent sites
Too rocky for tents
Not enough parking
Not enough covered picnic areas
Three-wheelers drive through camps
No showers
Trail around lake is eroded and ugly
Water too far away
Area should not be open to hunting
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTES: 2..1
'3..1
Frequencies cannot be totalled to equal the number of respondents who were
dissatisfied because some respondents were dissatisfied but gave no
reason and some respondents cited two or more reasons.
Comments do not include notes made about weather, bugs, or other inappropriate
topics.
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34
Site
Tangle Lakes
Campground
Tangle River
Campground
Paxson Lake
Campground
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Table 3-10
SITE CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY RESPONDENTS
Frequency!Y
13
7
7
6
5
4
4
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
7
5
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
19
12
5
4
Comments~/
Provide a good water source, pump
Provide firewood (one noted a willingness to pay)
Upgrade road, grade sites, level parking
Fix outhouses/toilets
Create more private sites
Prohibit 3-wheelers and motorcycles in camping area
Provide more tables, some covered
Prevent camping in undesignated areas
Plant trees to break wind
Provide more firepits, some with benches
More trash cans, disposal facilities
Coin-op showers
Add a playground
Less development
Restrict generator use
Fix pump, provide water
Provide firewood
Mark portages for upper lakes, display a map and stgn
for area
Fix road
Provide dump facilities
Ban 3-wheelers
Designate sites
Relieve campground crowding
Provide electricity
Take better care of toilets
Provide more tables
Prohibit motor boats
Provide a boatramp with courtesy instructions and
parking, and a road to the lake
Provide separate parking for people leaving cars
while river rafting and canoeing
Provide safe drinking water
Provide firewood
35
Site
Paxson Lake
Campground
(cont.)
Paxson Wayside
Brushkana
Campground
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Table 3-10
SITE CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY RESPONDENTS (continued)
Frequency!!:../
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
6
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
12
5
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Comments.E./
More water pressure in toilets, provide outhouses
Provide showers
Level campsites
Provide for campsites to drain
More campsites
Provide more maintenance, frequent garbage pick-up
Improve road
Prohibit woodcutting
More trails
Make a larger turn-around at dump station
Prohibit dogs running free
Fix dump station
Move campground closer to lake
Provide a boat ramp
Level ground
Provide more parking
Enlarge site
Add camping
Provide more trash barrels
Provide water
More firepits
Provide firewood
Provide tables
Provide firewood
Improve restrooms
Define camping areas
Provide more frequent trash pick-up
Install informative signs
Provide gravel to level and drain sites
Fix firepits
Provide outhouses
Enlarge area with bigger pull-offs for RVs
Improve access road
Put in a bridge with sites on other side of rtver
36
Table 3-10
SITE CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY RESPONDENTS (continued)
Site
Lake Louise
Campground
Byers Lake
Campground
Frequency~../
10
6
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
CommentsY!../
Provide more campsites, especially tent sites
Fix the boat launch, launching area too shallow
Provide water
Provide wood
Provide a dump facility
Cover some picnic areas
Clean toilets
Leave vegetation between sites
Remove the boat launch
Provide softer ground
Provide electricity
Put a hatchet, saw or axe on a chain at wood shed
Close the Denali State Park to hunting
Provide firewood
Stock the lake with fish
Let the trail around the lake grow over
Provide for sewage disposal
More pull-throughs
Put in a well
Make longer parking spots
Provide better ground drainage
Clear away stumps
Post speed limits on grounds
Have interpretive signs
Provide power
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTES: ~/Frequencies cannot be totalled to equal the number of respondents who
desired changes because some respondents wanted changes but gave no
recommendations and some respondents cited two or more recommendations.
E./comments do not include notes made about the weather, bugs, or other
inappropriate topics.
424484/TBL
851206 37
the greatest number of respondents wanted firewood to be provided at the
site. At Paxson Lake Campground and Paxson Wayside, boat ramps headed the
list of desired changes although at Pa.xson Wayside an equal number of people
wanted more level ground for parking, picnics, and some camping. Finally,
at Byers Lake, the most frequently mentioned changes were provide firewood
and close the Denali State Park to hunting.
3.3.2.5 Additional recreation opportunities. Respondents were also asked
whether they felt that there was a need for additional outdoor recreation
opportunities in southcentral Alaska. Of the 563 persons who responded, 71
percent (400) answered·yes. Table 3-11 presents the types of opportunities
noted by the greatest percentages of respondents and shows that, by far,
the largest percentage of respondents wanted more campgrounds. The types of
opportunities specified under "other" included canoe trails away from power
boats, more picnic places with toilets, more wilderness areas without
hunting and recreational and other motorized vehicles, more off-road vehicle
trails, and more mapped areas and marked trails. Generally, people surveyed
felt the entire range of additional opportunities should be developed
throughout the state, close to Anchorage, along the major highways, and into
presently inaccessible lakes and st~eams for fishing.
3.3.3 Profile of Parties and Total Number of Visitors
3.3.3.1 Party size and composition. The size of the parties represented ~n
the survey ranged from 11/ to 30 persons with 1 to 2 persons making up
nearly 50 percent of all parties and 1 to 4 persons making up 79 percent of
all parties. Parties larger than 10 persons were represented 14 times. Of
all the larger parties, 12-person parties were represented approximately
one-third of the time or 5 times in the survey. The composition of these
parties is outlined in Table 3-12 by males (age 18 or older), females (age
18 or older), and children (under 18 years of age).
l/ For the purpose of this analysis, each individual
considered to represent a party (group) even if he/she
party of one.
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38
respondent is
is alone as a
Table 3-11
ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
FOR SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA
Percent~/ of respondents
indicating a need for
Opportunities additional opportunities
(N=400)
Campgrounds 45
Trails 20
Backcountry cabins 18
Boat launches 17
Roads 17
Other.£/ 17 ..
Trail heads 13
-------------------------------------
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01,"
February, 1985.
NOTES: ~/Percentages do not total 100 percent because some
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b respondents noted the need for two or more opportunities.
_/Mostly includes changes desired (i.e., showers,
regular trash pick-up) but also includes other
opportunities (i.e., more waysides, shooting ranges).
·39
Table 3-12
COMPOSITION OF GROUPS
Persons Number Percent
0 Males 8 1
1 Male 358 60
2 Males 152 25
>3 Males 80 13
TOTAL 598 99~/Range = 0-9 Males
0 Females 123 21
1 Female 333 56
2 Females 112 19
)3 Females 29 5
TOTAL 597 101~/Range = 0-8 Females
0 Children 378 63
1 Child 86 14
2 Children 86 14
>3 Children 48 8
' 598 99~/Range = 0-24 Children TOTAL
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01,"
February, 1985.
NOTES:
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~/ Percentage does not total 100 percent due to rounding.
40
As shown, 21 percent (123) of the parties were all-male while only 1 percent
(8) were all-female. The greatest percentage of parties, 63 percent (378),
did not include children whereas 36 percent ( 220) had at least one child
present. Approximately SO percent of all parties were made up of couples
with no children.
3.3.3.2 Parties' trip length. With respect to overall trip length, 28
percent (162) of the groups traveled 1 to 3 days, 36 percent (209) stayed
out for 4 to 7 days and 14 percent (84) for 1 to 2 weeks. Another 6 percent
( 3S) of the groups surveyed were on extended trips of more than 3 months
while 16 percent (93) were out for 2 weeks to 3 months.
3.3.3.3 Parties' previous night's stay and next night's stay. Respondents
were asked where they and their companions stayed the night before the
survey and where they expected to stay the following night. These questions
were asked to help understand the travel pat terns of the recrea t ionis ts
using the project area. However, as shown in Table 3-13, a surprising
number of responses to both questions fell into the "other" category which
represented a wide variety of different destinations making it difficult to
plot or aggregate the information. That is, 47 percent .(267) of those who
indicated where they stayed last night specified "other" or a destination
that was not listed. Thirty-one percent (173) also noted "other" with
respect to tomorrow nights' stay. The second greatest percentages of
responses to both questions indicated the people had been at home the night
before or were headed home the next night.
3.3 .3 .4 Accommodations. Respondents were asked to specify what their
accommodations would be for the night. Accommodations for SO percent of the
parties were campers, trailers, or recreational vehicles (RVs). In the
"other" category, vans, stations wagons, and other motor vehicles were
424484
8S1206
41
Table 3-13
SITES OF LAST NIGHT'S STAY AND NEXT NIGHT'S STAY
Last Night Next Night
Site No. of No. of
Parties Percent Parties Percent
I
Tangle Lakes Campground 4 8 40 7
I Tangle River Campground 16 3 18 3
Paxson Lake Campground 26 5 20 4
Paxson Wayside 14 2 7 1
Brushkana Campground 33 6 28 5 I
Byers Lake Campground 20 4 11 2
Lake Louise Campground 20 4 17 3
I
Home 83 15 157 28
Denali/McKinley 36 6 33 6
Not Sure 8 1 59 11
Other 267 47 173 31
TOTAL 527 101E./ 563 !OlE_/
------
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTES:
424484/TBL
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~I
E.!
Includes numberous individual places which were not grouped
into smaller, discreet areas.
Percentage does not total 100 due to rounding.
42
r '
L"
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specified most frequently as being used by another 13 percent of the
parties. Tents were used by 31 percent of the parties, while the remaining
6 percent of all parties were not staying overnight at the site where they
were surveyed.
Parties accommodations by site. Parties' accommodations at sites varied.
As shown in Table 3-14, all sites had parties which used campers, trailers,
RVs, tents, or other accommodations. Tangle Lakes, Tangle River, Brushkana,
Byers Lake and Lake Louise campgrounds each had 50 percent or more of the
parties staying in campers, trailers, or RVs. Tents were used second most
often at all sites except Paxson Wayside where they were used as often as
other vehicles and structures, and Denali Highway mileposts where they were
used the most.
3.3.3.5 Activities parties pursued. Table 3-15 presents the activities
undertaken by the parties visiting the various sites. As shown, fishing
(67%) and camping (65%) were the activities pursued most often. Sightseeing
ranked third with 44 percent of the parties specifying this as an activity.
Activities by site. Table 3-16 shows that at least 50 percent of the people
staying at the developed sites pursued camping and fishing except at Byers
Lake Campground where only 36 percent of the people fished. Sightseeing was
the only other activity pursued by at least 35 percent of the people at
Tangle Lakes Campground and Paxson Wayside. At Brushkana and Byers Lake
campgrounds, both hiking and sightseeing were done by over 35 percent of the
people, but at Byers Lake, 35 percent of the visitors also picked berries.
In addition, at least 35 percent of the visitors at Lake Louise Campground
participated in hiking and/or berrypicking. Along the Denali Highway,
camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, sightseeing, and berrypicking were
activities each pursued by between 35 percent and 48 percent of the people.
Activities by sites by month. Some recreational activities were pursued
more often during particular months of the summer than others. This
variation can also be observed at the individual survey sites. For example,
424484
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Table 3-14
PARTIES' ACCOMMODATIONS BY SITE
Camper,
Trailer,
Other.!/ Site RV Tent Total
Tangle Lakes 62 (50) 46 ( 37) 15 (12) 123 (99)
Campground
Tangle River 38 (58) 20 (30) 8 (12) 66 (100)
Campground
Paxson Lake 53 (46) 45 ( 39) 16 (14) 114 (99)
Campground
Paxson Wayside 13 ( 45) 8 ( 28) .. 8 (28) 29 (101)
Brush kana 57 (62) 22 ( 24) 13 (14) 92 (100)
Campground
Byers Lake 22 ( 6 7) 7 (21) 4 (12) 33 (100)
Campground
Lake Louise 3 7 ( 63) 16 (27) 6 (10) 59 (100)
Campground
Denali Highway 12 (38) 14 (44) 6 (19) 32 (101)
Mileposts
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February 1985.
NOTES: Row percents are in parenthesis to the right of actual numbers in
each cell.
Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding •
.!1 Includes vans, station wagons, sedans, tarps, lean-to's.
424484/TBL
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-~-:;
Table 3-15
ACTIVITIES PURSUED AT ALL SITES
Activity Number of Parties~/ Percent.£/
Fishing 403 67
Camping 387 65
Sightseeing 263 44
Hiking 184 31
Berrypicking 139 23
Rafting/Canoeing
or Kayaking 132 22
Other Activities 76 13
Hunting 65 11
Powerboating 48 8
Off-road Driving 19 3
----
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February 1985.
NOTES:
424484/TBL
851206
~/ Number of parties does not equal 599 because many parties
participated in more than one activity •
..£1 Percentages do not total 100 percent because respondents
participated in more than one activity.
45
..• ,II ~ I , j :~ : I j '
Table 3-16
-1>-
0\
Site Camping Fishing
Tangle Lakes 88 (69) 100 (78)
N = 128
Tangle River 45 ( 65) 59 ( 85)
N = 69
Paxson Lake 86 ( 6 7) 73 (57)
N = 128
Paxson Wayside 20 (57) 27 (77)
N = 35
Brushkana 57 (59) 73 (76)
N = 96
Byers Lake 23 ( 64) 13 (36)
N = 36
Lake Louise 46 ( 77) 36 (60)
N = 68
Dena 1 i Highway 18 (45) 19 (48)
Mileposts
N = 48
Total Number
Res~onding
Yes 383 400
No 209 192
Total Parties 592 592
PARTIES' ACTIVITIES BY SITE
July through September, 1984
Sight-Off-Road
Hunting Hiking seeing Driving
15 (12) 42 (33) 61 (48) 2 ( 2)
9 (13) 23 (33) 32 (46) 0 (0)
8 ( 6) 25 ( 20) 53 (41) 2 ( 2)
1 (3) 3 (9) 14 (40) 4 (3)
5 (5) 41 (43) 38 (40) 4 (4)
0 (0) 20 (56) 19 (53) 0 (0)
12 ( 20) 14 (23) 26 (43) 5 ( 8)
14 ( 35) 14 (35) 15 (38) 4 (10)
64 182 258 18
528 410 334 574 ---
592 592 592 592
------
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program 11 Survey 01,11 February, 1985.
Power Berry-Water
Boating picking Sports Other I
9 (7) 27 ( 21) 41 (32) 14 01) I
6 (9) 14 ( 20) 17 ( 25) 5 o> I
!
8 ( 6) 13 (10) 3 7 ( 29) 18 (14)1
11 (31) 1 (3) 10 (29) 3 (9) I
0 (0) 29 (30) 3 (3) 16 (17)
0 (0) 13 ( 36) 9 ( 25) 5 (14)
13 ( 22) 26 (43) 10 (17) 9 (15)
0 (0) 14 (35) 5 (13) 4 (10)
47 137 132 74
545 455 460 518 -
592 592 592 592
NOTE: Row percents (in parentheses) to the right of actual numbers represent the percent of respondents at each
site who participated in the various activities. Percentages do not total 100 because respondents
participated in more than one activity at each site.
424484/TBL
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1n July there was no berrypicking at three sites while in September there
was berrypicking at all sites. Similarly, little hunting occurred in July
(when small game and black bear hunting is allowed) but in September, when
moose hunting season opened, there was hunting by visitors staying at seven
of eight sites. Camping, fishing, and sightseeing were popular activities
during all three months (see Tables 3-17 to 3-19).
3.3.3.6 Parties by site. Table 3-20 shows where the parties were
distributed among varioas recreation sites when one of their members
completed the questionnaire. To summarize for the entire survey period, the
greatest percentages of the parties were recreating at Tangle Lakes (22%)
and Paxson Lake (22%) campgrounds. Brushkana Campground ranked next with 16
percent of the parties staying there. The remaining parties, totalling 41
percent of all parties, were divided among Tangle River Campground, ·paxson
Wayside, Lake Louise Campground, Byers Lake Campground and other locations
(trailheads and mileposts). Table 3-21 expands this information to show the
number of parties and people at each site for the months of July, August,
and September.
Parties and number of visitors by sites by month. As shown in Table 3-21,
in July and August the visitation trends for parties and total people were
similar to those for the summer as a whole. The greatest percentage of
parties and numbers of people were at Tangle Lakes, Tangle River, Paxson
Lake and Brushkana campgrounds. In September, Tangle Lakes Campground
continued to have a high percentage of parties while the percentages ?f
parties at Tangle River, Paxson Lake, and Brushkana campgrounds declined.
In addition, in September the percentage of parties staying at pull-off
locations along the Denali Highway was much greater than the percentages· in
the previous two months.
3.3.3.7 Parties' main destinations. When asked if the site where groups
were surveyed was their main destination, 36 percent (215) of the
respondents answered yes. Another 35 percent (205) said their destination
was uncertain or they were just going "all over" or "everywhere". Twenty-
one percent named a wide variety of different places as destinations while
424484
851206
47
.p.
00
.i,ll '"I
Site Camping Fishing
Tangle Lakes 38 (76) 44 (88)
N = 50
Tangle River 16 (55) 24 (83)
N = 29
Paxson Lake 43 (66) 41 ( 63)
N = 65
Paxson Wayside 15 (75) 18 (90)
N = 20
Brush kana 30 ( 65) 33 (72)
N = 46
Byers Lake 9 (90) 6 (60)
N = 10
Lake Louise 1( 100) 1( 100)
N = 1
Denali Highway 5 (63) 7 (88)
Mileposts
N = 8
Total Number
Res_eonding
Yes 157 174
No 72 55
Total Parties 229 229
~ ~
TABLE 3-17
PARTIES' ACTIVITIES BY SITE BY MONTH
July, 1984
Sight-Off-Road
Hunting Hiking seeing Driving
2 (4) 16 (32) 25 (50) 1 (2)
0 (0) 9 (31) 15 (52) 0 (0)
0 (0) 9 ( 14) 26 (40) 2 (3)
0 (0) 3 (IS) 7 ( 35) 1 (5)
1 ( 2) 17 (37) 23 (50) 2 (4)
0 (0) 9 (90) 6 (60) 0 (0)
0 (0) 0 (0) 1(100) 0 (0)
0 (0) 3 ( 38) 5 (63) 0 {0)
3 66 108 6
226 163 121 223
229 229 229 229
-------·-
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
Power Berry-Water
Boating picking Sports Other
2 (4) 0 (0) 19 (38) 4 (8) i
I
4 (14) 0 (0) 8 (28) 3 (10) I
I
7 01) 2 (8) 19 ( 29) 8 (12):
I
7 ( 35) 0 (0) 8 (40) 1 (5)
0 (0) 16 (35) 2 (4) 6 (13)
0 (0) 4 (40) 6 (60) 2 ( 20)
0 (0) 1( 100) 0 (0) 0 ( 0)
0 (0) 3 (38) 1 (13) 0 (0)
20 26 63 24
209 203 166 205
229 229 229 229
NOTE: Row percents (in ~arentheses) to the ri~ht of actual numbers represent the percent of respondents at each site
who participated ln.the various qctivittes. Percentages do not total 100 because respondents participated in
more than one acttvtty at each stte.
424484/TBL
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~
\0
Ill t,, "I
Site Camping Fishing
Tangle Lakes 32 {70) 30 (65)
N = 46
Tangle River 20 (74) 24 ( 89)
N = 22
Paxson Lake 32 (71) 23 (51)
N = 45
Paxson Wayside 3 (33) 6 (67)
N = 9
Brushkana 23 (56) 34 (83)
N = 46
Byers Lake 4 (100) 3 (75)
N = 10
Lake Louise 27 (75) 19 (53)
N = 1
Denali Highway 5 (42) 7 (58)
N = 8
Total Number
Responding
Yes 146 146
No 74 74
Total Parties 220 220
l.l' I) L J l
TABLE 3-18
PARTIES' ACTIVITIES BY SITE BY MONTH
August, 1984
Sight-Off-Road
Hunting Hiking see1ng Driving
1 (2) 16 (35) 21 (46) 0 ( 0)
1 (4) 12 (44) 13 (48) 0 (0)
0 ( 0) 11 ( 24) 21 (47) 0 (0)
0 (0) 9 (0) 4 (44) 0 (0)
0 (0) 21 (51) 14 ( 34) 2 ( 5)
0 ( 0) 2 (50) 2 (50) u 0 ( 0)
1 (3) 11 ( 31) 17 (47) 3 (8)
1 (8) 5 (42) 6 (50) 1 (8)
4 78 98 6
216 142 122 214
220 220 220 220
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
Power Berry-Water
Boating picking Sports Other
4 (9) 19 (41) 13 ( 28) 7 (15)
'
2 (7) 11 (41) 6 (22) 1 (4) i
'
1 ( 2) 7 (16) 10 (22) 8 (18)1
2 (22) 0 (0) 1 (11) 1 (11)
0 (0) 11 ( 27) 1 (2) 10 (24)
0 (0) 1 (25) 1 (25) 0 ( 0)
8 ( 22) 16 (44) 5 (14) 9 ( 25)
0 ( 0) 6 (50) 2 (17) 2 (17)
17 71 39 38
213 149 181 182
220 220 220 220
---------------··-·-
NOTE: Row percents (in parentheses) to the right of actual·numbers represent the percent of respondents at each site
who participated in the various activities. Percentages do not total 100 because respondents participated in
more than one activity at each site.
424484/TBL
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Ln
0
Site Camping Fishing
Tangle Lakes 18 (56) 26 (81)
N = 32
Tangle River 9 (69) 11 (85)
N = 13
Paxson Lake 11 ( 61) 9 (50)
N = 18
Paxson Wayside 2 (33) 3 (50)
N = 6
Brushkana 4 (44) 6 (67)
N = 9
Byers Lake 10 (45) 4 (18)
N = 22
Lake Louise 18 (78) 16 (70)
N = 23
Denali Highway 8 (40) 5 ( 25)
N = 20
Total Number
Responding
Yes 80 80
No 63 63
Total Parties 143 143
L _I ~. • J
,,j
TABLE 3-19
PARTIES' ACTIVITIES BY SITE BY MONTH
September, 1984
Sight-Off-Road
Hunting Hiking seeing Driving
12 ( 38) 10 (31) 15 (47) 1 (3)
8 ( 62) 2 (15) 4 (31) 0 (0)
8 (44) 5 ( 28) 6 (33) 0 ( 0)
1 (17) 0 (0) 3 (50) 0 ( 0)
4 (44) 3 (33) 1 (11) 0 ( 0)
0 (0) 9 (41) 11 (50) 0 ( 0)
11 (48) 3 (13) 8 ( 35) 2 (9)
13 ( 65) 6 (30) 4 (20) 3 (15)
57 38 52 6
86 105 91 137
143 143 143 143
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
Power Berry-Water
Boating picking Sports Other
3 ( 9) 8 ( 25) 9 ( 28) 3 ( 9)
i
0 ( 0) 3 (23) 3 (23) 1 (8)
0 ( 0) 4 (22) 8 (44) 2 ( 11)
2 (33) 1 (17) 1 (17) 1 (17)
0 (0) 2 (22) 0 ( 0) 0 ( 0)
0 (0) 8 (36) 2 (9) 3 (14)
5 (22) 9 (39) 5 ( 22) 0 ( 0)
0 (0) 5 ( 25) 2 (10) 2 (10)
10 40 30 12
133 103 113 131
143 143 143 143
NOTE: Row percents (in parentheses) to the right of actual numbers represent the ·percent of respondents at each site
who participated in the various activities. Percentages do not total 100 because respondents participated in
more than one activity at each site.
424484/TBL
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~~
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Table 3-20
PARTIES BY SITE
Site Number of Parties Percent
Tangle Lakes Campground 128 22
Paxson Lake Campground 128 22
Brushkana Campground 96 16
Tangle River Campground 69 12
Lake Louise Campground 60 10
Byers Lake Campground 36 6
Paxson Wayside 35 6
Denali Highway Milepost 40 7
TOTAL 592 101~/
'
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTE:
424484/TBL
851206
~/ Percentage does not total 100 percent due to rounding.
51
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---·~"~1 r~-,·-·--,
<H)
',____, c-----"\
Table 3-21
PARTIES AND PEOPLE AT SITES BY MONTH
July August
No. of Percent No. of No. of Percent No. of
Site Parties for Mo. People Percent Parties for Mo.· People Percent
Tangle Lakes 50 22 166 21 46 21 138 17
Campground
Tangle River 29 13 117 15 27 21 105 13
Campground
Paxson Lake 65 28 217 28 45 21 167 21
Campground
Paxson Wayside 20 9 93 12 9 4 39 5
Brushkana 46 20 122 16 41 19 139 17
Campground
Byers Lake 10 4 33 4 4 2 43 5
Campground
Lake Louise 1 0 4 1 35 16 130 16
Campground
Denali Highway 8 3 24 3 12 5 41 5
Mileposts
TOTAL 229 99~_1 776 100 219 99~_1 802 99~/
------------L___. _____ ---------------------
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTE: ~ Percent does not total 100 due to rounding.
424484/TBL
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__ ___, -
September
No. of Percent No. of
Parties for Mo. People Percent
32 22 74 14
13 9 44 8
18 13 77 15
6 4 31 6
9 6 27 5
22, 15 95 18
23 16 104 20
20 14 71 14
143 99~ 523 100
L. ----~---
f ~
I ~ only 6 percent (34) named Denali National Park and the remaining 3 percent
(18) said home or Valdez~
Parties' main destinations by sites. When the sites were examined as the
ma1n destination of parties surveyed, Tangle Lakes Campground had the
greatest percentage (22%) of those who had one of the survey sites as a main
destination. The-few parties which were headed for Denali National Park,
Valdez, or home were evenly distributed among the sites as were the greater
numbers of people who were unsure of where they were going (see Table
3-22).
3.3.3.8 Parties' length of stay. For all parties, the most frequent length
of stay at a site was one to three days. That is, 83 percent (485) of all
parties stayed where they were for 1 to 3 days. Fourteen percent ( 80)
stayed for 4 to 7 days, and 3 percent (20) stayed for more than 1 week. The
maximum length of stay by any party at a site was two months and this was
reported by two parties.
Parties' length of stay by site. The sites where parties stayed the longest
(from two weeks to three months) were Tangle Lakes and Tangle River
campgrounds and other places (mileposts) along the Denali Highway. As shown
in Table 3-23, of those people who stayed 1 or 2 days (but not necessarily
overnight), the greatest number stayed at Paxson Lake (24%), Tangle Lakes
(22%), and Brushkana (16%) campgrounds.
3.3.3.9 Visitors' residences. The residence of all visitors is presented in
Table 3-5. As shown, 33 percent (691) of the party members came from the
Anchorage area, 28 percent (582) from other U.S. states, 19 percent (411)
from the Fairbanks area, 8 percent ( 177) from other parts of Alaska, 7
percent (154) from the Mat-Su/Railbelt areas, and 4 percent (93) from
foreign countries.
424484
851206 53
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I Table 3-22
PARTIES' DESTINATIONS
Survey Denali Home or
Site Site Nat '1 Park Valdez All Over Total
Tangle Lakes 48 7 4 69 128
Campground 22% 20% 27% 21% 22%
Tangle River 28 5 1 35 69
Campground 13% 15% 7% 11% 12%
Paxson Lake 34 5 4 84 127
Campground 16% 15% 27% 26% 22%
Paxs.on Ways ide 16 2 1 16 35
7% 6% 7% 5% 6%
Brushkana 36 5 3 51 95
Campground 17% 15% 20% 15% 16%
Byers Lake 14 5 0 17 36
Campground 7% 15% 0% 5% 6%
I
I
Lake Louise 26 4 2 28 60
Campground 12% 12% 13% 9% 10%
Denali Highway 12 1 0 27 40
Mileposts 6% 2% 0% 8% 7%
TOTAL 214 34 15 327 590
100% 100% 101% 100% 101%
--
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTES: Column percents are below actual numbers in each cell.
~/ Percentage does not total 100 due to rounding.
424484/TBL
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54
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Table 3-23
PARTIES' LENGTH OF STAY BY SITE
Site One-2 Days 3-7 Days 8-14 Days 15-30 Days 31-90 Days
Tangle Lakes 86 39 0 1 0
Campground 22% 24% 0% 33% 0%
Tangle River 40 26 1 1 0
Campground 10% 16% 7% 33% 0%
Paxson Lake 95 25 3 0 0
Campground 24% 15% 20% 0% 0%
Paxson Wayside 20 13 1 0 0
5% 8% 7% 0% 0%
,,)''
Brushkana 65 28 3 0 0
Campground 16% 17% 20% 0% 0%
Byers Lake 26 6 2 0 0
Campground 7% 3% 13% 0% 0%
Lake Louise 42 16 2 0 0
Campground 11% 10% 13% 0% 0%
Denali Highway 20 11 3 1 2
Mileposts 5% 7% 20% 33% 100%
TOTAL 394 164 15 3 2
100% 100% 100% 99%~1 100%
L__ __ --------------------------------L ______ ------
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTES: Column percents are below actual numbers in each cell.
~I Percentage does not total aue to rounding.
424484/TBL
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55
Total
126
22%
68
. 12%
123
21%
34
6%
96
17%
34
6%
60
10% I
I
37 i
6%
I 578
100%
I
----
f ~
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Visitors' residences by site. To find out whether people from particular
regions of Alaska,l/ from other U.S. states, or from other countries
tended to visit or favor particular sites, each site was considered in terms
of the home residences of the visitors. The results are presented in Table
3-24. As shown, people from the Anchorage area and from other states
comprised the parties with the greatest representation at seven of the eight
sites in the survey, namely, Tangle Lakes, Tangle River, Paxson Lake,
Brushkana, Byers Lake and Lake Louise campgrounds and pull-offs along the
Denali Highway. Visitors to Paxson Wayside differed substantially with the
greatest percentages from the Fairbanks area and other regions of Alaska.
Visitors from the Anchorage area comprised from 8 to 52 percent of those
present at each site with the greatest percentage at Lake Louise Campground
and the lowest percentage at Paxson Wayside. Visitors from the Fairbanks
area comprised from 1 to 59 percent of those present at each site with the
greatest percentage staying at Paxson Wayside and the smaller percentages
visiting Byers Lake and Lake Louise campgrounds. People from other states
accounted for from 12 to 56 percent of the visitors to each site with the
greatest percentage visiting Byers Lake Campground and the smaller
percentage visiting Paxson Wayside. Percentages of visitors to each site
from the Mat-Su/Railbelt area, other regions of Alaska, and from foreign
countries accounted for 15 percent or less of all visitors to each site.
Visitors' residences by sites by month. Since Anchorage area residents and
visitors from other states were the two groups with the greatest representa-
tion at the study area sites during the survey period, a breakdown of
visitors' residences to specific sites by month is presented in tables 3-25
to 3-27.
1/ The regions of Alaska are identified and the boundaries of each reg~on
are outlined in Appendix D.
424484
851206
56
\.Jl ......
Anchorage
Site Area
Tangle Lakes 108 (28)
Campground
Tangle River 119 (45)
Campground
Paxson Lake 141 (31)
Campground
Paxson Wayside 13 (8)
Brushkana 118 (41)
Campground
Byers Lake 36 ( 21)
Campground
Lake-Louise' 121 (52)
Campground
Denali Highway 28 (21)
Mileposts
TOTAL 684 (33)
,......,...--.-....-, ,,...-.
" '
Table 3-24
VISITORS' RESIDENCES BY SITE
July through September, 1984
Mat-Su/ Other
Fairbanks Rail belt Regions
Area Area of Alaska
90 (23) 22 (6) 16 (4)
48 (18) 11 (4) 18 (7)
107 (24) 24 (5) 54 (12)
92 (59) 4 (3) 24 (15)
38 (13) 33 (II) 11 (4)
2 (1) 24 (14) 6 (4)
5 ( 2) 17 (7) 35 (15)
25 (18) 29 (14) 13 (10)
407 ( 20) 154 ( 7) 177 (9)
-----L__ __ --
Othe·r
u.s.
States
129 (34)
60 (23)
102 (28)
19 (12)
64 (22)
96 (56)
52 ( 22)
45 (33)
567 ( 27)
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
~
Foreign
Countries
20 (5)
6 ( 2)
21 (5)
4 (3)
24 (8)
7 (4)
4 (2)
6 (4)
92 (4)
NOTE: Row percents are in parentheses to the right o~ actual numbers in each cell.
TOTAL
385 (100)
262 (100)
449 ( 100)
156 (100)
288 ( 100)
171 (100)
234 ( 100)
136 (100)
2,081 (100)
Results for Byers Lake and Lake Louise may not accurately represent residences of visitors
because sampling was not random.
424484/TBL
851203
,.___,
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Anchorage
Site Area
Tangle Lakes Campground 25 (15)
Tangle River Campground 52 (46)
Paxson Lake Campground 44 (21)
Paxson Wayside 2 (2)
Brushkana Campground 35 (29)
Byers Lake Campground 9 (27)
Lake Louise Campground 0 (0)
Denali Highway Mileposts 9 (38)
Total 176 (23)
~-~--
Table 3-25
VISITORS' RESIDENCES BY SITE
July, 1984
Mat-Su
Fairbanks Rail belt Other
Area Area Alaska
56 (34) 8 (5) 4 ( 2)
20 (18) 7 ( 6) 4 (4)
64 (30) 11 (5) 39 (19)
64 (69) 0 (0) 18 (19)
23 (19) 14 (11) 3 (2)
0 (0) 8 (24) 1 (3)
0 (0) 0 ( 0) 0 (0)
2 (8) 0 (0) 0 (0)
229 (30) 48 (6) 69 ( 9)
Other
us
68 (42)
26 (23)
44 (21)
9 (10)
28 (23)
11 (33)
4 (100
11 (46)
201 (26)
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
Foreign
2 (1)
4 (4)
8 (4)
0 (0)
19 (16)
4 (12)
0 (0)
2 (8)
39 ( 5)
NOTES: Row percents are in parentheses to the right of actual number in each cell.
Total
163 (99 )!!..!
113 (1 0 1)!!..1
210 (100)
93 (100)
122 (100)
33 (99)!!..1
4 (100)
24 (100)
762 (99)!!..1
Results for Byers Lake and Lake Louise may not accurately represent residences of visitors
because sampling was not random.
!!../ Percent are not total 100 due to rounding.
424484/TBL
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Site
Tangle Lakes Campground
Tangle River Campground
Paxson Lake Campground
Paxson Wayside
Brushkana Campground
Byers Lake Campground
Lake Louise Campground
Denali Highway Milepost
TOTAL
..
:·II 1 ,[.,
Table 3-26
VISITORS' RESIDENCES BY SITE
August, 1984
Mat-Su
Anchorage Fairbanks Railbelt Other
Area Area Area Alaska
53 ( 38) 13 (9) 4 (3) 7 ( 5)
45 (43) 23 ( 22) ·0 (0) 8 ( 8)
45 (28) 38 ( 23) 7 (4) 9 ( 5)
9 ( 26) 13 (38) 0 (0) 2 ( 6)
66 (47) 9 ( 6) 19 (14) 8 ( 6)
12 ( 28) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) ,
49 (38) 0 (0) 10 ( 8) 23 (18)
7 (17) 7 (17) 2 ( 5) 5 (12)
286 (36) 103 (13) 42 (5) 62 ( 8)
----------~
Other
us
'47(34)
27(26)
52(32)
6(18)
32(23)
31(72)
44( 34)
20(49)
259(33)
-----
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program 11 Survey 01,11 February, 1985.
Foreign
14 (10)
2 ( 2)
13 ( 8)
4 (12)
5 (4)
0 (0)
4 ( 3)
0 (0)
42 (5)
NOTES: Row percents are in parentheses to the right of actual number in each cell.
Total
138 (100)
105 (100)
164 (100)
34 (100)
139 (100)
43 (100)
130 (101)~
41 (100)
794 (100)
Results for Byers Lake and Lake Louise may not accurately represent residences of visitors
because sampling was not random.
~~ Percent are not total 100 due to rounding.
424484/TBL
851203
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Anchorage
Site Area
T~·i ,·-·--11
I
Table 3-27
,---,
VISITORS' RESIDENCES BY SITE
September, 1984
Mat-Su
Fairbanks Rail belt Other
Area Area Alaska
....-, ,.....--...,
Other I
us Foreign Total
-
Tangle Lakes Campground 30 (36) 21 (25) 10 (12) 5 ( 6) 14 (17) 4 (5) 84 . (101 )Y I
Tangle River Campground 22 (50) 5 ( 11) 4 (9) 6 (14) 7 (16) 0 (0) 44 (100)
Paxson Lake Campground 52 ( 69) 5 ( 7) 6 ( 8) 6 ( 8) 6 (8) 0 (0) 75 (100)
Paxson Wayside 2 (6) 17 (55) 4 (13) 4 (13) 4 (13) 0 (0) 31 (100)
Brushkana Campground 17 ( 63) 6 (22) 0 (0) 0 (0) 4 (15) 0 (0) 27 (100)
Byers Lake Campground 15 (16) 2 (2) 16 (17) 5 (5) 54 (57) 3 (3) 95 (100)
Lake Louise Campground 72 (71) 6 ( 6) 7 ( 7) 12 (12) 4 (4) 0 (0) 101 (100
Denali Highway Mileposts 12 (17) 16 ( 23) 17 ( 24) 8 (II) 14 (20) 4 (6) 71 (101)~/
TOTAL 222 (42) 78 (15) 64 (12) 46 (9) 107 (20) 11 (2) 528 (100)
SOURCE: Harza-Ebasco Computer Run, SAS Program "Survey 01," February, 1985.
NOTES: Row percents are in parentheses to the right of actual number in each cell.
Results for Byers Lake and Lake Louise may not accurately represent residences of visitors
because sampling was not random.
~/ Percent are not total 100 due to rounding.
424484/TBL
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As shown in Table 3-25, in July, Anchorage area residents accounted for the
highest percentage of visitors to the Tangle River Campground (46%) and
Brushkana Campground (29%). Fairbanks residents accounted for most of the
Paxson Wayside (69%) and Paxson Lake Campground visitors (30%). Ot~er U.S.
residents represented most of the Denali Highway milepost (46%) and Tangle
Lakes Campground (42%) visitors.
In August, as shown in Table 3-26, Anchorage residents accounted for the
highest percentage of visitors to Tangle Lake Campground (38%), Tangle River
Campground (43%), and Brushkana Campground (47%). Fairbanks was the res1-
dence of the highest percentage of Paxson Wayside visitors (38%). Other
U.S. residents accounted for the highest percentage of visitation at Paxson
Lake Campground (32%) and at Denali Highway mileposts (49%).
In September, as shown in Table 3-27, Anchorage area residents were the most
frequent visitors at all campgrounds expect Paxson Wayside, where Fairbanks
residents were more frequent (55%). At Denali Highway mileposts, Mat-Su/
Railbelt Area and Fairbanks Area residents were the most frequent visitors
(24% and 23% respectively).
3.3.4 Summary
Answers to demographic and attitudinal questions showed that 68 percent of
the respondents were male and that more than 50 percent of the respondents
were professionals/technicians/managers or retirees. Approximately 50 per-
cent were also from the Anchorage and Fairbanks areas and from other U.S.
states.
Sixty-four percent of the respondents had not previously visited the sites
they were surveyed at in 1984 and an equal percentage expected this to be
their last visit in 1984. Brushkana, Paxson Lake, and Tangle River camp-
grounds were where the greatest percentages of those returning to a site for
the second (or more) time were staying.
424484
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Responses to questions on satisfaction with sites showed that respondents at
Paxson Wayside were least satisfied with that site and most frequently
mentioned the lack of a boat ramp as the source of the dissatisfaction.
Respondents at Byers Lake and Brushkana campgrounds were most satisfied.
Even so, the eroded condition of the lake trail at Byers Lake Campground and
the lack of firewood at Brushkana Campground were noted as sources of
dissatisfaction.
At all sites, except the Denali Highway mileposts, respondents showed a
greater desire for changes than the overall dissatisfaction with each site
would indicate. A boat ramp and more level ground headed the list of
des ired changes reported by respondents at Paxson Ways ide. The need for
firewood was mentioned most often by Brushkana and Byers Lake campground
respondents although, those at Byers Lake Campground, also wanted Denali
State Park closed to hunting. Seventy-one percent of all respondents wanted
additional recreational opportunities in southcentral Alaska and campgrounds
were noted more than twice as often as any other new recreational
opportunity.
Party sizes ranged from 1 to 30 persons with 1 to 2 person parties occurring
nearly 50 percent of the time. All-male parties made up 21 percent of the
parties whereas all-female parties occurred only 1 percent of the time and
63 percent of the parties did not include children.
The trip length of the greatest percentage of the parties (36%) was four to
seven days. Shorter trips ( 1 to 3 days) were made by 28 percent of the
parties. The travel patterns of those visiting the study sites were
impractical to aggregate and categorize because the greatest percentage of
people came from and were headed to diverse locations. The second largest
percentages of people came from. their homes or were headed home.
The most widely used accommodations at all sites (except Denali Highway
milepost locations) were campers, trailers, and/or RVs.
locations, tents were used most often.
424484
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At the milepost
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The three activities pursued most often by the parties at all sites were
camping, fishing, and sightseeing. These same activities were pursued most
often at Tangle Lakes, Tangle River, and Paxson Lake campgrounds and Paxson
Wayside. The top ranking activities at various places were as follows:
Brushkana Campground -camping, fishing, and hiking; Byers Lake Campground -
camping, hiking, and sightseeing; Lake Louise Campground -camping, fishing,
sightseeing and berrypicking; and milepost locations -camping and fishing
with hunting, hiking, sightseeing, and berrypicking all close behind. Since
hunting, powerboating, berrypicking, water sports and to some extent,
off-road driving depend on weather and other environmental conditions, it is
not surpr{sing that participation in these activities varied by month of the
summer. As might be expected, hunting at all sites increased in September
when moose hunting season opened and water sports tended to decrease at most
sites as the colder, fall weather approached.
Over the entire survey period, the greatest percentage of parties stayed at
Tangle Lakes (22%), Paxson Lake (22%) and Brushkana (16%) campgrounds.
During the months of July, August, and September, these sites continued to
be more heavily used than other sites except Brushkana Campground where use
dropped substantially in September. However, there were considerable
fluctuations in all use depending on the month and the attraction of
particular seasonal activities.
Survey sites were the main destinations of 36 percent of the survey
participants and of these sites, Tangle Lakes Campground was the
destination of the greatest percentage (22%) of parties. At all sites, 83
percent of the parties stayed 1 to 3 days. Where particular sites were
concerned, parties stayed the longest at Tangle Lakes Campground and along
the Denali Highway roadside. Parties stayed the shortest amount of time
(one to two days) at Paxson Lake Campground.
Most of the visitors to the sites (70%) came from the Anchorage area, other
U.S. states, and the Fairbanks area. At seven of the eight sites, the
greatest percentages were from the Anchorage area and from other states.
424484
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Only Paxson Wayside had the greatest number of visitors from the Fairbanks
area and other regions of Alaska. Overall, visitors from particular areas
to the different sites varied substantially by month.
424484
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REFERENCES
Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1983. Copper Basin Caribou Use: A
Research Update. Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska Department of Natural Resources. 1981. Alaska Outdoor Recreation
Plan. Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska Department of Natural Resources. 1982. Alaska State Park System:
Southcentral Regional Plan. Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska Department of Natural Resources. 1985. Susitna Area Plan. Anchorage,
Alaska.
Alaska Land Use Council. 1983. The Denali National Scenic Highway-an
interagency ~tudy. Anchorage, Alaska.
Howard, et al. 1976. Chattooga River Visitor Survey. Department of
Recreation and Park Administration, Clemson University. Clemson, South
Carolina.
Institute of Social and Economic Research. 1985. Resource User Survey.
Prepared for the Alaska Power Authority. Anchorage, Alaska.
Lucas, Robert C., and Jerry L. Oltman. 1971. Survey Sampling Wilderness
Visitors. Journal of Leisure Research 3(1):28-43.
Lucas, Robert C., Hans T. Schreuder ang George A. James. 1971. Wilderness
Use Estimation: A Pilot Test of Sampling Procedures on the Mission
Mountain Primitive Areas. ·usDA Forest Service Res. Pap. INT-109, 44p.
Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, Utah.
Miller, William D., Robert Aukerman and Richard C. Fletcher. 1976. The
Denali Highway Information Plan. Prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management, Anchorage, Alaska. Colorado State University. Ft. Collins,
Colorado.
Wallwork, Susan S., Mary L. Lenihan and Paul E. Polzin. 1980. Montana
Outdoor Recreation Survey. University of Montana, Missoula, Montana.
424484
851206
65
:!l'HIVNNOIJ.S:IDO
X3ANilS NOIJ.V:!ffi~:!ffi
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SMU'LE RECREAT lON ~UEST lON~AlRE
PLEASE HAVE ONE ADULT COMPLETE THE ENTIRE SURVEY
1. Have you completed one of these surveys before?
D No --.... continue to question 2
DYes~ h' 1 . ON · .,.. at t IS ocation o __ .,.. continue to question 2
D Yes ___ .,.. STOP, return the uncompleted survey.
2. How many people are in your group? ___ number of males 18 and over
___ number of females 18 and over
__ number of children (under 18)
___ total number
3. Where do the people in your group live?
Person completing survey from
Others: (#) people from
Others: (#) people from
Others: (#) people from
City/Town State Country
4. Where did you receive this questionnaire?
0 Tangle Lakes Campground 0 Paxson Wayside 0 Lake Louise Campground
0 Tangle River Campground
0 Paxson Lakes Campground
5. How long is the trip you are now taking?
------day(s)
0 Brushkanna Campground
0 Byers Lake Campground
6. Is this site your main destination for this trip?
0 Yes
0 Trail Head to _______ _
0 Other
D No __ .,.. Where is your main destination(s)? -------------------------
7. If you are staying overnight here, what will you stay in?
0 pick-up camper 0 RV I motor home
0 towed camper I trailer 0 tent
·D other __ .,.. what?---------------
8. What do you plan to do while you are here?
0 camping 0 hiking
0 fishing 0 sightseeing
0 hunting 0 off-road driving
0 power boating
0 berrypicking
0 rafting
9. How many days will you stay at this site? ___ day(s)
10. How many times did you visit this site in 1983? time(s)
11. How many times (including this trip) will you visit this site in 1984?
12. Are you satisfied with this site (or trail)?
0 Yes
0 canoeing
0 kyaking
0 other·------------
____ time(s)
0 No--... why? _________________________________________ _
13. Would you like to see this site (or trail) changed?
0 No DYes--... how? ______________________________________________ ___
14. What place did you stay last night?
15. What place do you plan to stay tomorrow night?
16. Do you feel there is a need for additional outdoor recreational opportunities in southcentral Alaska?
0 No
0 campgrounds
0 trail heads
0 back country cabins
0 boat launch
0 trails
0 roads
0 other __ .,.. what? ----------------
0 Yes[.,.. what type?
.,.. where? ----------------
1 i. Are you male or female? u male D female
18. What is your job or occupation? -------------------
4-1
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_ _o
RECREATION SURVEY
SURVEY PURPOSE: This survey is being conducted to collect information about how recreational
facilities in selected areas are being used.
WHO WILL USE THE INFORMATION: The information will be provided to two land management
agencies, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Alaska Department of Natural
Resources, and to the Alaska Power Authority for consideration in their study
of a hydroelectric project in this area.
HOW TO RETURN THE SURVEY:
a~# l1Wl:l3c:l
S3l'llS 03l1Nn
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In Person -Return the survey to the person who is distributing surveys, or
Drop Box-A drop box is provided at bulletin boards in area campgrounds where
the surv~y is distributed, or ..
By Mail • Fold the survey and return by mail (no stamp is needed).
THANK YOU
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RECREATIONAL USE ESTIMATES
APPROACH
The observation data from the recreation survey provided a basis for
estimating total recreational use (omitting lodge-related visitors and
activities) for sites surveyed within the study area during the peak
recreational season from July 1 through September 15, 1984. These estimates
were disaggregated to more specific places (such as Brushkana Campground)
within the study area and more specific times (e.g., months or weekends).
Caution was used in disaggregating estimates since a reduction in the data
base size increases the maximum standard error and reduces the reliability
of information derived from the data.
The estimates of total recreation use presented here represent a compromise
between information needs and the data base size. Accordingly, the study
area was divided into three subareas called Brushkana, Tangles, and Paxson.
The Brushkana subarea extends from Butte Lake Trail (milepost 94) along the
Denali Highway to the outskirts of Cantwell (milepost 130). The . Tangles
subarea extends along the Denali Highway from Paxson (milepost 0) to the
.Maclaren River (milepost 42) .-The Paxson subarea includes the Paxson Lake
Campground and its-access road and the Paxson Wayside and its access road.
The time periods were reduced to allow comparison of weekends (the peak use
periods) with weekday use. For example, this resulted in 279 observations
used to estimate total recreation use in the Brushkana subarea for weekends
from July 1 through September 15. Any further reduction in the data base
(by geographic area or time) would jeopardize the reliability of estimates.
Estimates of total recreation use for subareas and times from the recreation
survey were then compared to conclusions about recreation uses found in the
ISER survey (1985).
424484
851206
The comparisons were used to refine, when necessary,
C-1
the estimates of recreation use in the recreation study area. The
comparison of these estimates of demand to the availability of some
recreation facilities is also briefly discussed.
Estimate of Recreation Use
Estimates of recreation use are expansions of observed use determined
through the multiplication of the number of observed parties by the ratio of
possible observation days to actual observation days. For example, to
estimate the total number of parties using the Brushkana subarea on Fridays
(between July 1 and Se.ptember 15), the number of observed parties (50) were
multiplied by the ratio of possible observation days (14 Fridays) to actual
observation days (9 Fridays). Therefore, the number of parties estimated to
use the subarea on the 14 Fridays in the study period was 80 (50 multiplied
by 1.6). To estimate how many of the 80 parties camped in the subarea on
Friday nights, the total number of parties (80) was multiplied by the
percent of respondents who were camping ( 65%). Hence, for example, 52
parties were estimated to camp in the subarea on Friday nights. during the
study period. ' To determine the total number of people visiting or camping
in the subarea (73) the number of parties (52) was multiplied by the average
party size (1.4).
Recreation use rate estimates for the total survey area and subareas are
presented in Table C-1. As shown, for the entire survey period, about 4, 000
parties or over 5,500 people were estimated to have used the sites surveyed
in the study area. Most of the use (53%) occurred in the Tangles subarea
while 33 percent occurred in the Paxson subarea and 15 percent occurred in
the Brushkana subarea. Approximately 2,600 of the parties (over 3,600
people) were camping.
Approximately 50 percent of the recreational use occurred on weekends,
Friday through Sunday. Weekend use during the survey period was estimated
to be over 2,100 parties or about 3,000 people. Of these, over 1,300
424484
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C-2
. 7
TABLE C-1
ESTIMATED RECREATION USE
(PARTIES)~/
Total Season Weekends.£/
Subarea
Brush kana
Tangles
Paxson
TOTAL
All Users
Number Percent
600 15
2' 100 53
1,300 33
4,000 101!:../
Camping
Number Percent
400 15
1,400 53
850 32
2,650 100
All Users
Number Percent
350 18
850 43
BOO 40
2,000 101!:../
Camping
Number Percent
220 17
600 45
500 38
1,320 100
Source: Derived from results of Harza-Ebasco Computer Runs, SAS Program
"Survey 01", February 1985.
Notes: ~/ Parties average 1.4 peopie each.
~/ Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
E.! Percentage does not total 100 due to rounding •
424484/TBL
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parties or nearly 1,900 people were camping. The percentages of weekend use
occurring in each subarea were approximately the same as for total use.
These use estimates are not directly comparable with any other existing
study. However, the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)
published a report in early 1985 that estimated camping along the Denali
Highway by Alaskan rail belt (Anchorage to Fairbanks) residents. The ISER
estimates would not be expected to correspond to estimates in this report
because of the following:
o ISER omitted non-Alaskan users,
o ISER's three study subareas surrounding the Denali Highway were
larger than the two relevant recreation subareas (Brushkana and
Tangles),
o ISER's survey asked about camping for the entire year, and
o ISER's survey estimated households that camp rather than camping
parties.
Nevertheless, since one of the differences between the ISER survey reduces
the estimate of users and three would probably increase the estimate
(compared to the recreation survey), there should not be substantial
differences between estimates.
The recreation survey estimates about 1,800 camping parties in the Brushkana
and Tangles subareas. The ISER report estimates from 2,060 to 3,830 house-
holds participated in camping on or near the Denali Highway in all of 1984.
The recreation survey estimates are near the low end of the ISER estimates.
The differences in methodology and standard errors inherent in any estimates
would easily account for the differences. The comparison does not warrant
changing the recreation survey estimates.
424484
851206
c-4
Comparison to the ISER Survey
Results from both the recreation survey and the ISER survey suggest that the
number of recreationists using the recreation study area is not large
compared to many areas of Alaska. To complete the recreation demand/supply
analysis the adequacy of facilities to meet demand must be examined.
Earlier sections dealt with users' satisfaction with facilities and observed
use rates. In this section, the concentration is on the estimate of campers
for the total survey season and weekends (peak demand periods). These
estimates are compared to the number of formal and informal camping sites
available to campers.
The number of formally established camping sites within the recreation study
area was 61, with 4 of these designed for picnicking rather than camping.
By subarea, Brushkana had 16 sites; Tangles, 21 sites; and Paxson, 24 sites.
If camping demand for the entire season is compared to the number of sites
available, it appeared that the number of sites are adequate. Within the
Brushkana subarea the number of campers for the study period (400) was only
33 percent of the campsites available (1,200) over the 75-day-period. Using
the same method to compute capacity and demand, the Paxson subarea was used
at 47 percent capacity and the Tangles' subarea at 87 percent capacity.
Another way to examine capacity and demand is to study peak demand periods
(weekends). Within the Brushkana subarea, there were nearly 250 campers
for a 47 percent use of the over 500 campsites available throughout the
survey period. The weekend use rate in the Paxson subarea was 63 percent;
it was 87 percent in the Tangles area. The weekend use rates increased over
total seasonal rates for the Brushkana and Paxson subareas, but not for the
Tangles subarea, indicating that use of the Tangles subarea fluctuated less
than in the other two subareas.
This comparison of demand with capacity indicated that the Tangles subarea
was in the greatest danger of frequently being overcrowded and that the
424484
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other two subareas would seldom be overcrowded. This conclusion, however,
ignores some important characteristics of the subareas. The Tangles subarea
had a large number of areas suitable for camping, even though they were not
formal sites. Within a one mile radius of the established campgrounds,
suitable sites for camping number at least three times the number of formal
sites. Further from the formal campgrounds there are numerous gravel pits,
pull-offs, and trailheads that offer suitable campsites. Many of these
locations are attractive enough, visually or because of recreation opportun-
ities, to draw campers, even when the "formal sites are not being used at
capacity. Therefore, though the formal, established campground sites may be
fewer than the number of campers during peak demand periods, the area can
absorb overflow easily and without creating hardships to campers.
In contrast, the Paxson subarea appears to easily meet camping demands but
has characteristics that modify this conclusion. First, the subarea u
subject to more variation ~n use, producing higher peak demands relative to
its fairly high constant demand. Secondly, there are very few sites suit-
able for camping that are not established in the campground or as a picnic
site. Lastly, distribution of demand within the subarea shows Paxson
Wayside, which has only 17 percent of the campsites with little overflow
capacity, receiving 32 percent of the demand. These characteristics make
the Paxson subarea the one most likely to be overcrowded, creating hardships
for campers.
The Brushkana subarea is in the best position of the three to meet demand.
Demand by campers is the least of the three subareas, relative to capacity,
and peak demand periods show only moderate increases over long-term demand.
Additionally, the Brushkana subarea's characteristics are much like
Tangles', with an ability to provide numerous sites as suitable alternatives
to the campground site.
424484
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C-6
APPENDIX D
CODING MAP
CODING MAP
BOUNDARIES FOR AREAS OF RESIDENCE IN ALASKA
SOURCE: ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR,
RESEARCH AND AN.~L YSIS SECTION,
U.S. C:::NSUS MAPS PROVIDED IN 1983
POPULATION OVERVIEW, JANUARY 1985
0
LEGEND
1 FAIRBANKS AREA
2 RAILBEL T AREA
3 MAT· SU AREA
4 ANCHORAGE AREA
ALL OTHER AREAS OF ALASKA
WERE CODED TOGETHER AS
OTHER ALASKA AREAS.
D-1
SCALE
MILES
75