THE EFFECT OF FLUCTUATING WATER LEVELS ON RESERVOIR FISHING

The effect of Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir water levels on recreational fishing is evaluated. Data were collected in east Tennessee during March through August of 1994-97. Water levels were not a major barrier to participation during the six-month period, but levels did affect the number of trips taken by anglers. Maintaining lakes at full pool for one additional summer month would result in an additional one-third trip per angler, or an additional 87,000 trips in the study region. The average net benefit of a full pool is $1.82 per angler, or an aggregate benefit of approximately $476,500 in the region.