An Analysis of Recreation User Perceptions: Crowding, Conflict, and Satisfaction at Diamond Lake, Oregon

This purpose of this study was to investigate visitor perceptions, particularly those related to crowding, conflict and satisfaction, within the context of Diamond Lake, while the relationship between these variables was also compared. The lake was analyzed both as a whole and across four separate zones which surround the lake. A thorough examination of visitor demographics and characteristics was included as well, in order to gain a clear understanding of the visitors who come to lake and provide additional insights into their perceptions.;This study was conducted over the summer of 2012 between May and August at Diamond Lake within the Umpqua National Forest. Surveys were conducted face-to-face, on-site with visitors using an iPad format for ease in compiling and analyzing results. In total, 772 surveys were collected during the three month survey period.;Results indicated that fishing was by far the predominant activity at Diamond Lake and that the majority of visitors were middle to older-aged, Caucasian males who were repeat visitors. Satisfaction was found to be consistently high among visitors, while conflict and crowding were found to be very low around the Lake. A regression analysis revealed that satisfaction items were a predictor of overall satisfaction. At the same time, conflict and crowding items were both found to be minor predictors of overall satisfaction. When compared across zones, it was found that satisfaction and conflict items were relatively consistent and there were no significant differences. However, crowding was found to be relatively higher in the North zone of the Lake, which generally sees the largest volume of visitors