Yakima River Access Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

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26 0 1-5 6- 10 11- 15 16- 20 21- 25 26+ Rafting/tubing/floating 26% 35% 12% 9% 6% 3% 9% Hunting 62% 12% 6% 5% 4% 3% 8% Swimming 44% 31% 13% 9% 7% 2% 8% Picnicking 18% 30% 21% 16% 4% 5% 7% Power boating, jet skiing 54% 23% 7% 4% 4% 3% 5% Boating of non-fishing 43% 32% 10% 5% 5% 1% 5% Canoeing or kayaking 50% 26% 10% 5% 4% 1% 4% Fishing with a guide 10% 41% 6% 5% 1% 0% 3% River boarding 87% 8% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% Survey respondents were asked how often they participated in the following activities during an average year on the Yakima and Cle Elum Rivers in Kittitas County – listed in rank order of response. 0 1-5 6- 10 11- 15 16- 20 21- 25 26+ Fishing 15% 19% 17% 13% 12% 6% 19% Viewing wildlife 25% 35% 11% 7% 5% 4% 14% Touring scenic areas 20% 38% 16% 7% 5% 4% 10% Hiking/biking on trail 27% 35% 11% 9% 4% 4% 10% Rafting/tubing/floating 34% 35% 10% 8% 4% 3% 6% Picnicking 29% 40% 11% 8% 4% 1% 6% Biking on-road 64% 20% 4% 3% 2% 1% 5% Camping 34% 40% 12% 4% 3% 3% 4% Hunting 71% 14% 5% 2% 2% 3% 4% Swimming 55% 26% 8% 4% 0% 0% 4% Canoeing or kayaking 71% 17% 6% 2% 2% 1% 3% Fishing with a guide 55% 36% 3% 2% 0% 0% 3% Boating of non-fishing 68% 22% 4% 2% 2% 0% 2% Power boating, jet skiing 84% 10% 1% 14% 1% 0% 2% River boarding 89% 6% 2% 1% 0% 0% 1% Specific site use and quality: § The City of Ellensburg’s Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park was the most frequently used public access site in the inventory, at least for multiple times per year. § Rill Adventure Takeout on SR-10 and Kiias Elk Trail ROW were the least utilized probably due to their private concession lease and gated community status. § BLM’s Roza Campground, Red’s Fly Shop, and BLM’s Big Pines Campground were rated of the highest quality of all public accessible sites in the inventory. § The Ellensburg Water Company Diversion Dam Overlook, Teanaway River Bridge on SR-10, and City of Ellensburg’s Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park were rated of the lowest quality of all public accessible sites in the inventory. § In general, survey respondents use publicly designated sites the most and private landowner sites the least although all types of sites are utilized to significant degrees. Specific site recommendations: § Survey respondents indicate there were too few fishing, hiking and biking on trail, camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing sites in the existing publicly accessible inventory. § In particular, survey respondents indicated more sites should be added for fishing, fishing with a guide, canoeing or kayaking, rafting or floating, picnicking, and biking on-road in the river segment between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. § Conversely, survey respondents indicated new sites do not need to be added for fishing, fishing with a guide, or touring scenic areas in the river segment below Ellensburg. Economic impact § A significant percent of all survey respondents indicated they stay overnight, generally for 1-2 days. § Most survey respondents stay in RV and tent campgrounds, hotels and motels, and other accommodations. § Survey respondent groups include kids under age 18 to a large extent (50%), 2 or more adults age 19-64 (84%), and senior citizens over age 65 (52%). § Average daily expenditures are significant ranging from $56.71 for outfitting supplies to even $5.66 for artworks and craft items indicating the economic potential of recreational activities on the Yakima and Cle Elum Rivers by residents and out of county tourists.