FLOOD10327

• County: Eagle
• Community: Eagle
• Stream Name: Eagle River
• Title: Eagle River Watershed Plan
• Date: 1/1/1996
• Prepared For: Eagle Community and Eagle County
• Prepared By: National Park Service
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

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Chapter 7

Recreafion

7.1 OVERVIEW OF
RECREATION ISSUES
AND OBJECTIVES

Several recreation issues and concerns were
identified and discussed during the planning
process, including:

Recreation Issues

· Dramatic Increases in Use and
Areas of Overcrowding
· Identification of a Finite Carrying
Capacity
· Protection of Recreational Quality
Experience
· Fisheries Protection
· Trespass on Private Land
· Appropriate Access and Amount
· Economic Importance of Eagle River
Watershed Recreation

In response to the identified issues and con-
cerns, and in support of the purpose, vision
and goals of the Plan, the following objectives
were developed:

Recreation Objectives

1. Determine Recreational Carrying
Capacity or Limits of Acceptable Change

2. Determine the Condition of the Fishery

3. Review and Improve Existing Fishing and
Boating Regulations and Information

4. Improve and Create Appropriate Public
Access for Recreation

7.2 BACKGROUND

The Eagle River and its tributaries support a
wide range of recreational opportunities and
the number of residents and visitors taking
advantage of these opportunities increases
dramatically each year. The Eagle River
watershed has become a premier year round
resort area, as well as an increasingly desir-
able place to live for those who enjoy the
recreational amenities. The Eagle River expe-
riences the most use of all the waterways in
the watershed, providing "close to home"
recreation options for local residents, busi-
ness opportunity for local fishing and boating
guide companies and a range of activities for
the visitor to choose from.

Recreational Activities

Fishing, rafting, and kayaking are the most
popular activities on the Eagle River and it's
major tributary Gore Creek, but many other
activities near or adjacent to local creeks and
the river are enjoyed by local residents and
visitors such as hiking, biking, wildlife watch-
ing, camping, hunting, cross country and
downhill skiing, golf, rock climbing, sledding,
snowmobiling, picnicking, jeeping, horseback
riding, and berry picking.

Use Levels and Quality of
Experience

Overuse for recreation is one of the primary
issues facing the Eagle River watershed.
During the public participation process for

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