Balancing Competing Uses for Water Resources — A Griffy Lake Example

ABSTRACT The relative scarcity of recreational water resources in southern Indiana places great demands on existing lakes and reservoirs, often to the detriment of the resource. Such is the case with Griffy Lake, a small (44 ha) water supply reservoir on the northern edge of Bloomington. Griffy Lake's setting and its heavily forested, steeply sloping, and largely undeveloped watershed offers a multitude of recreational opportunities. In recent years, heavy public demand, inappropriate recreational uses, and the lack of a written management plan or policy have resulted in deterioration of the lake and its watershed. Using environmental and sociological survey techniques, the present study developed a matrix approach to assist policymakers in evaluating environmental impacts, recreational demand, and compatibility of various recreational uses. The matrix was then used to develop a long-range use and management plan consistent with the long-range planning goals, which balanced recreational, water supply, and...