Dead River Whitewater Boating Survey

Dear White-Water Boater:

          Here is the Dead River white-water boating survey that we told you about in a letter last week. The results of this study will be used to help determine management policies for white-water boating on the Dead River. As part of the relicensing of Flagstaff Dam on the Dead River in Maine, we are conducting this study for Central Maine Power Company.
          Your response is very important because you are one of a relatively small number of white-water boaters who have been chosen to represent all of the people who went white-water boating on the Dead River during 1994. Even if you have only taken one white-water trip on the Dead River we need to hear from you to get a true picture of how everyone views white-water boating on the Dead River. People who have filled out the questionnaire say that it takes about 15 minutes - sometimes more, sometimes less.
          Your responses are confidential, and your name will not be revealed. Information from the survey will only be reported in statistical terms, such as "over 50 percent of white-water boaters on the Dead River have prior white-water boating experience." There is an identification number on your questionnaire only so that we can send reminders to people who forget to return their questionnaires. When you have completed the questionnaire, just return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. We hope you find this questionnaire interesting to fill out.
          We realize that this is a busy time of the year for everyone and we appreciate your help in this study. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (207) 487-3328. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Matthew R. Bley
Recreation Resource Analyst

Section A. In this first section we would like to learn about your general white-water boating experience.
Al. Which category best describes the first time you trip on any river? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)

1. Before 1980 5. 1983 9. 1987 13. 1991
2. 1980 6. 1984 10. 1988 14. 1992
3. 1981 7. 1985 11. 1989 15. 1993
4. 1982 8. 1986 12. 1990 16. 1994

A2. Which category best describes the first time you took a whitewater trip in Maine? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)

1. Before 1980 5. 1983 9. 1987 13. 1991
2. 1980 6. 1984 10. 1988 14. 1992
3. 1981 7. 1985 11. 1989 15. 1993
4. 1982 8. 1986 12. 1990 16. 1994

A3. Do you own any of the following boats that can be used for whitewater boating? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Canoe ( open or closed)
                    2 Kayak (inflatable or hard)
                    3 Raft
                    4 Other. please list

A4. Have you ever taken a whitewater trip on the Kennebec or Penobscot Rivers in Maine?   (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Kennebec River
                    2 Penobscot River
                    3 Neither

A5. Which category best describes the first time you took a white-water trip on the Dead River? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)

1. Before 1980 5. 1983 9. 1987 13. 1991
2. 1980 6. 1984 10. 1988 14. 1992
3. 1981 7. 1985 11. 1989 15. 1993
4. 1982 8. 1986 12. 1990 16. 1994

A6. A number of factors can affect your satisfaction with a whitewater trip. How important are each of these factors when you take a whitewater trip? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH FACTOR)

  Not Important   Somewhat Important   Very Important
Large Rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Good Guide 1 2 3 4 5
Attractive Scenery Along River 1 2 3 4 5
Warm Weather 1 2 3 4 5
Warm River Water 1 2 3 4 5
Not Crowded At Put-In Site 1 2 3 4 5
Not Crowded By Other Boats On River 1 2 3 4 5
Thrill of the Experience 1 2 3 4 5
A Safe Trip 1 2 3 4 5


Section B. On Saturday, September 17, 1994, you took a trip to the Dead River where you went whitewater boating. In this section, we ask you questions about this trip and your whitewater boating experience on this trip.

B 1. Was white-water boating on the Dead River the primary purpose of your trip? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES
                    2 NO

B2. While on this trip, did you also go whitewater boating on other rivers in Maine? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 NO
                    2 YES - Which other rivers?

Which other rivers? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
1   Kennebec River
2   Penobscot River
3   Other, please list:

B3. Sometimes individuals go boating by themselves and other times they go with friends, business associates, etc. Including yourself, how many people were in your personal white-water boating party? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

                    _____  PEOPLE

B4. Did you experience any delays on the river?   (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 YES, at the put-in site
                    2 YES, waiting for other boats to clear the river
                    3 NO

BS. How would you rate crowding with other white-water boaters on the river? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 Too many other boaters
                    2
                    3 About right
                    4
                    5 Too few other boaters

B6. How would you rate the rapids on this trip? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 Too small
                    2
                    3 About right
                    4
                    5 Too big

 H7. How would you rate the water temperature on this trip? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                     1 Too cold
                     2
                     3 About right
                     4
                     5 Too warm

B8. How would you rate the air temperature on this trip?   (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                     1 Too warm
                     2
                     3 About right
                     4
                     5 Too cold

B9. How would you rate the thrill of the experience on this trip? (CIRCLE ON NUMBER)
                    1 Too boring
                    2
                    3 About right
                    4
                    5 Too intense

B 10. How would you rate trip safety on your whitewater trip? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 Very safe
                    2
                    3 Neither safe nor unsafe
                    4
                    5 Very unsafe

B 11. We would like to learn about your expenses on this trip. Please list all your trip expenses to travel to the Dead River and to go whitewater boating on this date. Do not list any equipment or gear you might have purchased on this trip (for example, do not include expenditures on clothing and rafting gear). If you shared expenses with others, only report your share of the costs. If you paid expenses for others, please include these costs. If you can't remember your total expenses exactly, please give us your best estimates. Add up all expenses and fill in the total amount you spent on the last line.
          (PLEASE FILL IN ALL BLANKS, IF YOUR EXPENSES FOR A CATEGORY WERE ZERO, PLEASE WRITE "0".)

Gas and oil for Car, Van, Truck, etc. $
Food and Beverages (Groceries, Ice, Restaurants, Bars) $
Lodging (Cabin, Motel, Lodge, Campground, etc.) $
Equipment rental (boat, wet suit, lifejacket, etc.) $
River shuttle and gate fees $
Commercial Transportation (Airline, Bus, Rental Car) $
Highway Tolls $
Other Expenses (photos, videos, t-shirts, etc.). Please List . $
TOTAL AMOUNT I SPENT ON MY WHITE-WATER TRIP $


B12. What percent of the total expenses you estimated in Question B11 were spent in the local area around the Dead River.  (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)

Percent
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100


B13. Expenditures for recreation often go up or down. For example, gas prices could increase, thus making your trips more expensive. Would you have taken this trip if your total costs had been $ 10.00 than the amount you just calculated in Question B11 above?   (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES
                    2 NO

B14. The whitewater season on the Dead River goes from early May through mid-October. Throughout the season there are different water flows in the Dead River on different days. The table below shows scheduled white-water releases in 1994 from Long Falls Dam on Flagstaff Lake into the Dead River. On which days did you take a white-water trip on the Dead River and what type of boat did you use on each date (single canoe, tandem canoe, single kayak, raft. etc.)?

(CIRCLE YES OR NO FOR EACH RELEASE DATE.)

Date Scheduled Water Release from Long Falls Dam in 1994 Total Water Flow (Includes flow from feeder streams) Circle YES if you boated on each date and NO if you did not Type of Boat Used
Saturday, May 7, 1994 7500 cfs. 9000 cts. YES     NO
Saturday, May 14, 1994 7500 cfs. 8600 cfs. YES     NO
Sunday, May 29, 1994 5500 cfs. 7700 cfs. YES     NO
Saturday, June 11, 1994 2400 cfs. 3400 cfs. YES     NO
Saturday, June 18, 1994 1800 cfs. 3100 cfs. YES     NO
Sunday, June 19, 1994 5500 cfs. 6600 cfs. YES     NO
Sunday, June 26, 1994 1300 cfs. 2400 cfs. YES     NO
Sunday, July 3, 1994 1800 cfs. 3300 cfs. YES     NO
Saturday, July 16, 1994 1300 cfs. 2300 cfs. YES     NO
Sunday, July 17, 1994 1300 cfs. 2100 cfs. YES     NO
Monday, June 18, 1994 1300 cfs. 2200 cfs. YES     NO
Tuesday, July 19, 1994 1300 cfs. 2300 cfs. YES     NO
Saturday, July 30, 1994 2400 cfs. 3100 cfs. YES     NO
Saturday, August 13, 1994 2400 cfs. 2900 cfs. YES     NO
Saturday, September 3, 1994 1300 cfs. 1800 cfs. YES     NO
Sunday, September 4, 1994 2400 cfs. 2900 cfs.

YES     NO
Sunday, September 5, 1994 1800 cfs. 2400 cfs.

YES     NO
Saturday, September 17, 1994 3500 cfs. 4000 cfs.

YES     NO
Sunday, October 9, 1994 5500 cfs. 5300 cfs.

YES     NO

SECTION C. Some people may only take one white-water trip on the Dead River, while others take several trips every year. In this section, we provide information on water flows in the Dead River and ask you to evaluate white-water characteristics and trips at each of these flows. Please think about each flow/trip description and carefully answer all questions.

IMPORTANT -PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION IN THE BOXES!                                       

TOTAL WATER FLOW
 The flow of water in the Dead River is controlled by releases from Long Falls Dam on Flagstaff Lake. Water flows are measured in cubic feet per second (cfs) passing a given point. During the whitewater boating season on the Dead River (May through October), whitewater releases from Long Falls Dam can vary from 800 cfs to 7500 cfs. The actual water flow in the river varies more than this because additional water enters the Dead River through a number of "feeder streams" that empty into the Dead River. When natural flows from "feeder streams" are added to releases from the dam, the total water flow in the Dead River during the whitewater season can vary from 800 cfs to over 10,000 cfs.

WATER FLOW AND RIVER CHARACTERISTICS
The total water flow in the Dead River affects the following characteristics of the river. 

Exposed Rocks -these are rocks that are visible above the water. As water flow increases, the number of exposed rocks decreases.

Waves -refers to standing waves in rapids. As water flow increases, waves in rapids increase in size.

Holes in Rapids -holes form behind rocks in rapids. As water flow increases, the number and size of holes increases to a point. At very high flows, the number and size of holes decreases as they become "washed out".

Rapid Classification -an international technical difficulty scale from 1 (easiest) to 6 (hardest). The classification of rapids generally increases as water flow increases.

Total Time on River -time it takes to complete a trip from "put in" to "take out". As water flow increases, the river runs faster and total time on the river decreases.

We are now going to ask you a number of questions about whitewater trips at specific water flows. When answering all questions, please assume that the water release schedule shown below is in effect for the Dead River. This schedule allows for 5500 cfs. releases in all months except August. The total river flows include average flows from feeder streams from 1990 through 1994.

Date Scheduled Water Release from Long Falls Dam Total Water Flow (Includes flow from feeder streams)
Saturday, May 7 7500 cfs. 8500 cts.
Saturday, May 14 5500 cfs. 6900 cfs.
Sunday, May 29 5500 cfs. 6900 cfs.
Saturday, June 11 2400 cfs. 3100 cfs.
Saturday, June 18 1800 cfs. 2800 cfs.
Sunday, June 19 5500 cfs. 6900 cfs.
Sunday, June 26 1300 cfs. 2300 cfs.
Sunday, July 3 1800 cfs. 2800 cfs.
Sunday, July 17 5500 cfs. 5500 cfs.
Saturday, July 30 2400 cfs. 3100 cfs.
Saturday, August 13 2400 cfs. 3100 cfs.
Saturday, September 3 1300 cfs. 2300 cfs.
Sunday, September 4 5500 cfs. 5500 cfs.
Saturday, September 17 3500 cfs. 4300 cfs.
Sunday, October 9 5500 cfs. 5500 cfs.


C1. On a day when the total water flow in the Dead River is 2300 cfs. How would you rate the following river characteristics?     ( CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH CHARACTERISTIC)

  Very Undesirable Somewhat Undesirable Neither Somewhat Desirable Very Desirable
Many exposed rocks like a "boulder field" 1 2 3 4 5
1 to 2 foot waves in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
A lot of small to moderate holes in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Class I to III, mostly II and III rapids 1 2 3 4 5
5 to 6 hours on river 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Boating Experience 1 2 3 4 5

C2. During a typical year, what dates would you take a trip on the Dead River if the total water flow is 2300 cfs? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Would not take a trip at 2300 cfs. - Skip to Question C5.
                    2 Sunday, June 26
                    3 Saturday, September 3

C3. What type of boat would you use (single canoe, tandem canoe, single kayak, raft, etc.) to take a Dead River trip at 2300 cfs? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

     ________

C4. During a typical year, would you take a trip on the Dead River at a flow of 2300 cfs if your total trip cost was $60.00 MORE than the trip cost you calculated in Question BI2 above? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES 
                    2 NO

C5. On a day when the total water flow in the Dead River is 3100 cfs. how would you rate the following river characteristics? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH CHARACTERISTIC)

  Very Undesirable Somewhat Undesirable Neither Somewhat Desirable Very Desirable
Many exposed rocks like a "boulder field" 1 2 3 4 5
1 to 3 foot waves in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
A lot of moderate holes in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Class I to III, mostly II and III rapids 1 2 3 4 5
5 to 6 hours on river 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Boating Experience 1 2 3 4 5


C6. During a typical year, what dates would you take a trip on the Dead River if the total water flow is 3100 cfs? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Would not take a trip at 3100 cfs. - Skip to to Question C9 
                    2 Saturday, June 11
                    3 Saturday, July 30 
                    4 Saturday, August 13

C7. What type of boat would you use (single canoe, tandem canoe, single kayak, raft, etc.) to take a Dead River trip at 3100 cfs? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

     ________________

C8. During a typical year, would you take a trip on the Dead River at a flow of 3100 cfs if your total trip cost was $320.00 MORE than the trip cost you calculated in Question B12 above? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES 
                    2 NO

C9. On a day when the total water flow in the Dead River is 4300 cfs. how would you rate the following river characteristics? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH CHARACTERISTIC)

  Very Undesirable Somewhat Undesirable Neither Somewhat Desirable Very Desirable
Some exposed rocks, some just under water 1 2 3 4 5
2 to 4 foot waves in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Many fairly large holes in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Class II to IV, mostly III rapids 1 2 3 4 5
5 hours on river 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Boating Experience 1 2 3 4 5

C10. During a typical year, what dates would you take a trip on the Dead River if the total water flow is 4300 cfs? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Would not take a trip at 4300 cfs. - Skip to Question C13.
                    2 Saturday, September 17

C11. What type of boat would you use (single canoe, tandem canoe, single kayak, raft, etc.) to take a Dead River trip at 4300 cfs? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

     ________

C12. During a typical year, would you take a trip on the Dead River at a flow of 4300 cfs if your total trip cost was $5.00 MORE than the trip cost you calculated in Question B12 above? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES 
                    2 NO

C13. On a day when the total water flow in the Dead River is 5500 cfs. how would you rate the following river characteristics? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH CHARACTERISTIC)

  Very Undesirable Somewhat Undesirable Neither Somewhat Desirable Very Desirable
Some exposed rocks, many under water 1 2 3 4 5
3 to 5 foot waves in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Holes moderate in number and size in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Class II to IV, mostly III rapids 1 2 3 4 5
4 hours on river 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Boating Experience 1 2 3 4 5


C14. During a typical year, what dates would you take a trip on the Dead River if the total water flow is 5500 cfs? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Would not take a trip at 5500 cfs. - Skip to to Question C17 
                    2 Sunday, July 17
                    3 Sunday, September 4  
                    4 Sunday, October 9

C15. What type of boat would you use (single canoe, tandem canoe, single kayak, raft, etc.) to take a Dead River trip at 5500 cfs? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

     ________________

C16. During a typical year, would you take a trip on the Dead River at a flow of 5500 cfs if your total trip cost was $20.00 MORE than the trip cost you calculated in Question B12 above? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES 
                    2 NO

C17. On a day when the total water flow in the Dead River is 6900 cfs. how would you rate the following river characteristics? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH CHARACTERISTIC)

  Very Undesirable Somewhat Undesirable Neither Somewhat Desirable Very Desirable
Rocks mostly under water 1 2 3 4 5
4 to 6 foot waves in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Holes moderate in number and size 1 2 3 4 5
Class II to IV, mostly III rapids 1 2 3 4 5
4 hours on river 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Boating Experience 1 2 3 4 5


C18. During a typical year, what dates would you take a trip on the Dead River if the total water flow is 6900 cfs? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Would not take a trip at 6900 cfs. - Skip to to Question C21 
                    2 Sunday, May 14
                    3 Sunday, May 29  
                    4 Sunday, June 19

C19. What type of boat would you use (single canoe, tandem canoe, single kayak, raft, etc.) to take a Dead River trip at 6900 cfs? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

     ________________

C20. During a typical year, would you take a trip on the Dead River at a flow of 6900 cfs if your total trip cost was $160.00 MORE than the trip cost you calculated in Question B12 above? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES 
                    2 NO

C21. On a day when the total water flow in the Dead River is 8500 cfs. how would you rate the following river characteristics? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER FOR EACH CHARACTERISTIC)

  Very Undesirable Somewhat Undesirable Neither Somewhat Desirable Very Desirable
Rocks all under water 1 2 3 4 5
5 to 7 foot waves in rapids 1 2 3 4 5
Few small holes, washed out 1 2 3 4 5
Class II to IV, mostly III rapids 1 2 3 4 5
3 to 4 hours on river 1 2 3 4 5
Overall Boating Experience 1 2 3 4 5


C22. During a typical year, what dates would you take a trip on the Dead River if the total water flow is 8500 cfs? (CIRCLE ALL NUMBERS THAT APPLY)
                    1 Would not take a trip at 8500 cfs. - Skip to Section D 
                    2 Saturday, May 7

C23. What type of boat would you use (single canoe, tandem canoe, single kayak, raft, etc.) to take a Dead River trip at 8500 cfs? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

     ________________

C24. During a typical year, would you take a trip on the Dead River at a flow of 8500 cfs if your total trip cost was $60.00 MORE than the trip cost you calculated in Question B12 above? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 YES 
                    2 NO

Section D. In this section, we would like to ask you some questions about your background to help us compare your answers to those of other people. We stress that all of your answers are strictly confidential.

Dl. What is the five-digit zip code of your permanent residence?

          (FILL IN THE BLANK)

D2. What is your age? (FILL IN THE BLANK)

______ YEARS OLD

D3. Are you: (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)
                    1 Male
                    2 Female

D4. How many people live in your household? (CIRCLE ONE LETTER)  
                    A One, just me
                    B 2 
                    C 3 
                    D 4
                    E 5 or more people

D5. How many years of formal education have you completed? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)

Grade School High School College Graduate School
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20+

D6. What was your total gross household income in 1993, before taxes? (CIRCLE ONE NUMBER)

1 Less than $5,000 9   $40,000 to $44,000
2 $5,000 to $9,999 10 $45,000 to $49,000
3 $10,000 to $14,999 11 $50,000 to $59,000
4 $15,000 to $19,999 12 $60,000 to $69,000
5 $20,000 to $24,000 13 $70,000 to $79,000
6 $25,000 to $29,999 14 $80,000 to $89,000
7 $30,000 to $34,000 15 $90,000 to $99,999
8 $35,000 to $39,999 16 $100,000 or more


THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Please return this survey in the enclosed envelope
                                                    
                                                                                    OOOOO252

[Class] [Module 6]

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