Purpose of award (summary of the goals and objectives of the project):this project seeks to develop descriptive information about visitor use types, amounts, and patterns as well as perceptions of…

The National Park Service awarded a $184,476 cooperative agreement to the University of Montana under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System program (CFDA 15.945) for the period of August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2025. The goal of the project is to develop descriptive information on visitor use patterns, amounts, experiences and perceptions at Curecanti National Recreation Area's Blue Mesa Reservoir and adjacent Gunnison River. Key deliverables include an on-site visitor use study in summer 2023, a technical report detailing findings, a scenario planning toolkit, and final datasets. Oregon State University will assist as a sub-awardee by providing study design support, participating in field visits, assisting with spatiotemporal data analysis, and reviewing project reports and presentations.

Purpose of award (summary of the goals and objectives of the project):this project seeks to develop descriptive information about visitor use types, amounts, and patterns as well as perceptions of visitor experience on blue mesa reservoir and the adjacent gunnison river at curecanti national recreation area (cure). Understanding current conditions, experiences, and associated relationships regarding visitor use on blue mesa reservoir and the adjacent gunnison river is essential for park planning.summary of project specific activities:through this work, cure intends to achieve: 1) a baseline understanding of visitor use patterns, types, and amounts; 2) seasonal differences, if any, in visitor use patterns, types, and amounts; 3) information about visitor experience, experience quality, and other visitor use aspects - including information to inform development of experience quality thresholds - from on-site visitors; and 4) a visitor use management tool that merges the descriptive and evaluative components of the research together for future scenario planning.performance goals including milestones and expected outcomes:on-site visitor use study in summer 2023TECHNICAL report detailing the complete findings of the data collectionsa scenario planning toolkit all final datasetsbeneficiaries:the scientific community and/or researchers external to NPS gain new knowledge on applications and methodologies for analyzing recreational visitor use and associated resource