River Recreation & Economics

Wild and Scenic Rivers:

As a vital part of the outdoor recreation economy, rivers offer unique opportunities for Americans. Residents andvisitors alike can enjoy activities ranging from day hikes and sightseeing to floating by day and camping at night ondesignated and eligible rivers. Below are a few of the many ways to enjoy nature on Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Recreation Opportunities Along Wild and Scenic Rivers

Camping is permitted indesignated zones alongriverways, since manyWild and Scenic Riversflow through a mixture ofprivate and public lands.Many first encountersand lasting memories ofnature involve being nearwater. Without the addeddraw of the water, morethan one-third ofrecreationists woulddecrease their overalloutdoor activity.

Not only do rivers drawanimals to a plentifulsource of fresh water, butmany rivers are home tospecies that are seldomfound elsewhere.Riparian habitats boastunique communities ofspecies compared toother ecosystems andoffer vastly differentopportunities forobserving wildlife ontheir terms. Seasonedhunters know the valueof riparian habitats togame species.

Raft, canoe, kayak andother watercraft travel ispossible when rivers arefree-flowing andunobstructed by dams orother artificial barriers.Some of the most popularrivers hold annuallotteries for float trips. Inthe western UnitedStates, 11 rivers hostlotteries to distributepermits for launches. TheSelway River in Idaho isthe most exclusive ofthese lotteries. Only onepublic launch party perday is permitted duringthe season, so visitors cantruly experience this wildwilderness river.

Anglers, along withboaters, engage mostdirectly with the uniquecharacter of Wild andScenic Rivers. Riversoffer critical habitat tomany species of fish.These inhabitantsdisplay different ways ofliving and reproducing inthe water. Anglers mustadapt to the demandsand habits of eachspecies while practicinglegal and ethical fishing.For many anglers, a Wildand Scenic River isdefined by andinseparable from the fishthat populate it.

Boating

Hiking & Camping

Fishing

Wildlife Viewing &Hunting

Overall, 81% of all Wild and Scenic Rivers haverecreational value. Access to Wild and ScenicRivers is a delicate balance between ensuringenjoyment and preventing damage fromoveruse.

Management responsibilities are spreadbetween four federal agencies and their stateaffiliates. Some tribes, like the MenomineeTribe near the Wolf River in Wisconsin, are alsoinvolved in management.

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe

Photo: Zachary Collier

Photo: Bob Wick

Photo: Bob Wick

Photo: Bob Wick

Outdoor RecreationEconomy

Floating on the Middle Fork Salmon Wild andScenic River draws thousands of peopleduring each annual season. The majority oflaunches take place in the middle five monthsof the year (May-September). In 2016,11,528 people floated the river on 810permits issued to the general public andcommercial outfitters. Demand dwarfsaccess granted, as 45,000 applications werefiled for less than 400 permits in 2017.

Salmon River, Middle Fork

Dollars and Cents...

EcosystemServices

Oregon  

Wild and Scenic Rivers and their immediate environments possessoutstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geological, fish andwildlife, historical, cultural, or other similar values.

Outdoor recreation is a massive and growingindustry supporting 7.6 million jobs. It saw a37% increase in annual consumer spendingfrom 2015 to 2016 from $646 billion to $887billion. River recreation accounts for up toone-third of this spending, including activitiesboth on and around waterways.

Healthy rivers serve important functionsbeyond just recreation. Humans wouldotherwise need to pay for these "ecosystemservices." Services include access to water forirrigation, water table replenishment, waterpurification in wetlands, and erosion-resistant banksides that provide floodcontrol. Nearly 84% of Wild and Scenic Riversare designated for ecosystem services andother non-recreational benefits.

Oregon has slightly more than 1,900 miles ofits total river mileage designated as Wild andScenic, spread across 59 different rivers [8].Many of these rivers are protected for theirrecreational value as well as values such ashydrology, water quality, and traditional use.Oregon also shares the Columbia River Basinwith Washington, which is estimated toprovide $198 billion annually in water,habitat, flood reduction, food production, andother benefits.

Idaho

With 22 designated Wild and Scenic Rivers,or 10.5% of all designations, Idahoencourages waterway recreation. Outdoorconsumer spending totals $7.8 billionannually, and 78,000 jobs relate in some wayto outdoor recreation. Wild and ScenicRivers contribute significantly to thesefigures by providing a strong draw for localand out-of-state visitors. 

Imnaha River

The Imnaha River, within the basin, isprotected for a wide range of values,including its role in supporting recreation,traditional living, and historic agriculturalpractices. Farming and ranching continuestoday near the water the river provides forirrigation and drinking, alongside habitat forunique plant communities.

Photo: John Webster

Photo: Bob Wick

Photo by Thomas O'Keefe