1 Introduction
1.1 Structure of GIS Report and Written Report
This GIS Report and companion Written Report present an understanding of the recreation and tourism activities undertaken within the Waitaki Catchment supported by or associated with water bodies. The reports collate, synthesise and present information from existing studies and the personal accounts of people who have an interest in recreation and tourism within the Waitaki Catchment.
The information search began by researching existing studies into recreation and tourism in the catchment. The methods used were: library and internet searches; discussion with Lincoln University and University of Otago recreation and tourism academics; recreation and tourism consultants; recreation interest groups; community groups; regional tourism organisations; councils; Environment Canterbury; Department of Conservation; Fish & Game New Zealand; Tourism Research Council; SPARC; tourism operators and recreation participants.
This GIS Report spatially presents the recreation and tourism activities that occur in the catchment. It is predominantly based on material prepared by Environment Canterbury, 2004, to assess use of water bodies in Canterbury. Other GIS maps have been created and added to this base data set.
This report is a presentation of the current picture of recreation and tourism use in the Waitaki Catchment based on the best available knowledge the authors could uncover. The reader can gain an understanding of current recreation and tourism use of the catchment supported by or associated with water bodies.
The companion Written Report describes the recreation and tourism activities that occur in the catchment, future trends, and the effect changing water use is likely to have on activities.
The Written Report and GIS Report can be read separately but will enhance the understanding of each other if read together.
1.2 Source of GIS data
The GIS maps are predominantly based on "The Inventory of Recreation Values for Rivers and Lakes of Canterbury New Zealand" (ECAN, 2004). Environment Canterbury has prepared a series of reports and databases on the recreation values within the rivers and lakes of the Canterbury Region. The purpose of these reports and databases was to bring together, into one place, information that was dispersed through published and unpublished literature, and files or knowledge held by individuals.
That ECAN report is a desktop study based on field surveys and information collected over many years by many different people. Although at the time of collection and collation every effort was made to ensure the data was accurate, the data may not have been field checked or verified.
Any use of this reproduction of the material from the ECAN 2004 report by third parties is subject to the conditions stated in the original report "The Inventory of Recreation Values for Rivers and Lakes of Canterbury New Zealand" (ECAN, 2004, p. 1).
1.3 Definitions
The definitions and descriptions of recreation types and criteria for evaluation (desirable attributes) in the tables below are derived from ECAN (2004, pp. 12-13).
Recreation use value refers to the frequency and intensity of use for specified recreation activities.
1.3.1 Frequency of use
The frequency or how often a river or lake is used for recreation contributes to the recreation value of the water body.
(a) High - used for recreation continuously throughout the year.
(b) Moderate - used during certain times of the year.
(c) Low - few or infrequent visits; generally used when other preferred areas are not used.
1.3.2 Intensity of use
The intensity of use relates to the number of people who use the water body or part water body for a particular type of recreation. The term "maximum holding capacity" has been used to describe the number of people who can comfortably use the site for recreation, if the number of people at a site exceed the maximum holding capacity users satisfaction decreases, competition for resources increases and conflict between users may increase. The number of people a site can accommodate depends on the type of recreation, the variation and combination of recreation activities, and the physical setting of the water body itself.
(a) High - the maximum holding capacity of recreational users is often met (relative to water body size).
(b) Moderate - large numbers of recreational users (relative to water body size).
(c) Low - small numbers of recreational users (relative to water body size).
Legend for ECAN activities - intensity of use
high - moderate - low
