Alternative Indicators of Crowding at Alcatraz Island: A Comparative Analysis

Winning the Lottery on the Colorado River

Winning the Lottery on the Colorado RiverProblem: impacts to campsites; impacts to attraction sites; impacts to historical/cultural sites; crowding; conflictManagement Strategies: limit use; reduce the impact of useManagement Practices: zoning; rules/ regulations; rationing/allocation; law enforcement; information/education

Grand Canyon National ParkColorado RiverNative American presenceJohn Wesley Powell (1869)Rapidly expanding use of the river2006 management planCommercial and non-commercial trips/motorized and non-motorized tripsThree-fold framework of outdoor recreation

Winning the Lottery on the Colorado RiverEnvironmentalSocialManagerialGeologySource of water to Native American tribes for 12,000 yearsInspiration for artists and writersSome of the most intensive environmental controversies in American historyMecca for white water boatingJohn Wesley Powell (1869)2006 management planWinning the Lottery on the Colorado RiverCarrying capacityAllocation of use1 to 6 launches per day for a total of 1,101 launches (24,567 people/228,986 user days)20 year wait list for private/non-commercial tripsIntensive use demands intensive managementWinning the Lottery on the Colorado RiverLaunch calendar1,101 launches per yearOnly one trip per year per personCommercial passengers must be accompanied by a guide on hikesSome areas closed at certain timesRanger patrolsWeighted lottery for non-commercial boatersSpatial and temporal zoningWinning the Lottery on the Colorado RiverIntensive information/educationPark websiteOrientation videoAudio and video podcastsTraining of commercial guidesDVD for non-commercial boatersWinning the Lottery on the Colorado River

Grand Canyon National ParkRiver Trip Orientation Video

Rafting Lava Falls 25,000 CFS (7:01)Flipping in Lava (2:35)Running Hermit Rapid (0:49)Winning the Lottery on the Colorado River