| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between reservoir pleasure boating and selected meteorological factors as recorded at the recreation site. The objectives were: 1. To record, for a 12 months' duration, the pleasure boat launchings and the local weather conditions on weekends and holidays. 2. To determine any variations of influence of the selected weather elements that might be ascertained in the relationship to pleasure boat launchings by defined seasons of the year. 3. To determine the relationship for the seasonal and annual totals of pleasure boat launchings to air temperature, wind, precipitation and barometric pressure. Based upon certain assumptions, the null hypothesis was that no relationship existed between pleasure boating and selected local weather conditions. The critical values were obtained by a method of multiple linear regression. The partial regression coefficients were tested for significance at the 5 per cent level of probability using Fisher's t test. The boat launching data for each defined season together with four selected meteorological factors were analyzed separately. All data were then combined into a study (annual) total and boat launchings as a function of the annual meteorological factors were estimated for the 112 data sets. Within the limitations of the study period and the availability of published works, a review of the literature revealed a paucity of information related to weather influences affecting recreational activities. Only by inference could selected meteorological elements be applied to boating facilities use. Dardanelle Reservoir near Russellville, Arkansas was selected for the study based upon accessibility to the investigator, upon the on-site location of a weather station of the ESSA-weather bureau and upon a satisfactory pre-study level of pleasure boating use. The duration of the study was the 12 months for December, 1968, through November, 1969, which included 112 weekend days and holidays. |
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