Identification and critical analysis of selected literature dealing with the recreational aspects of water resources use, planning, and development

The literature dealing with the recreational aspects of water is fragmented to such a degree that it presents a weak foundation for future research. Therefore, this study integrates and summarizes the existing interdisciplinary body of knowledge dealing with recreation and water. Over one thousand pertinent articles and publications were identified, fully documented, and classified according to keyword descriptors. A computerized bibliographic retrieval routine was developed to enable an investigator to receive, automatically, using keyword inputs, those bibliographic notations that are pertinent to his request. Bibliographic retrieval was accomplished through the IBM System/360. Using this retrieval system to assemble bibliographies by topic, this research project surveyed and critically analyzed research findings and their implications for water recreation planning and development. The narrative critical analysis of pertinent literature is organized within five broad areas: (1) The water resource, (2) Water resource recreation planning, (3) User-resource planning considerations, (4) Factors inhibiting the recreational use of water resources, and (5) Maintaining water quality for recreational use. In citing gaps in existing methods and knowledge, this critical analysis forms the bibliographic foundation for a programmatic identification of interdisciplinary recreation-water resources research needs. These research needs are grouped according to: (1) The water resource, (2) User-resource planning, (3) Water quality maintenance for recreational use. An extensive interdisciplinary water recreation planning and development bibliography is included in this report.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe