Page 65 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE PEOPLE
4-23

respondents placed more emphasis on the water experience. Clackamas County residents wanted improvements at parking, docks, safety signage like water trail maps, put-in and
take-out information, as well as, trash disposal, security, restrooms, and picnic or beach areas. Statewide respondents placed more importance on access, guides and outfitter
services, water level reporting, showers, and equipment storage. Most of these differences are statistically significant. In terms of choosing where to go for water recreation, we
asked respondents to select from ten common factors that typically influence their decision. Quality of the recreation experience is the most important factor for both the county
and Oregon residents followed by water quality and solitude. However, Clackamas County residents are significantly more influenced than the average by several factors,
especially issues related to safety, access, distance and the opportunities to do other activities.

Clackamas County residents travel the least distance to their more frequent river. They travel on average 115 miles one-way. Their neighbors to the north, Multnomah County
residents, travel an average of 58 miles father to their most frequent water body. On average, Multnomah County residents travel the farthest in Oregon. This difference is not
statistically significant, however.

Years of Experience
The data were analyzed to determine if years of experience in their favorite activity had any effect on frequency of visitation, overnight stays,
Table 4-20 Distance to Most and participation in other recreation activities. The sample is clearly dominated by experienced participants. About ¾ of all respondents had
Frequent River over 10 years of experience. This is likely the result of the sampling method. The sample was selected from those people with fishing licenses,
Group Mean Miles motor boat registrations and invasive species permits. Individuals who purchase licenses, registrations and permits likely have more experience
Traveled at their activity than those who don’t. There is no way to test this with the present database. Nonetheless, 14% of the sample has less than 5
Non-OR 310.33 years of experience and this is adequate to conduct statistical tests for correlations. The sample was divided into those with five or less years of
Clack.Co 114.97 experience (inexperienced) and those with ten or more years of experience (experienced,) with the middle group (between 5-10) omitted.
Other OR 118.33
Mult.Co 172.39 Results show that there was no statistical relationship between years of experience and favorite activity. Inexperienced water enthusiasts
were just as likely to pick the same range of top 8 favorite activities as experienced enthusiasts. However, of these top 8 activities,
Total 225.36
inexperienced are more likely to choose whitewater rafting and general fishing than the average of all respondents.

Table 4-21: Years of
Experience
Beginner (<5 yrs) 14%
Intermediate (5-10 yrs) 10%
Experienced (>10yrs) 76%