Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Boating survey reflects trends

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at [email protected].

Preliminary results of a statewide boating survey conducted by the Nevada Division of Wildlife provide an interesting insight into boating trends in Nevada.

"It's been 10 years since we've conducted a survey," said Fred Messmann, NDOW's boating law administrator. "It's important to find out what's on the minds of boaters, especially with the trends in smaller, more personal watercraft, increased population growth and the increased congestion in waters, particularly in Southern Nevada."

The results will help the agency in planning its boating education, boating access and law enforcement strategies for the next decade.

The survey was broken down into two areas: the Lake Tahoe area, especially because of the two-stroke ban, and the remainder of the state. The waters surveyed were Wildhorse and South Fork Reservoirs near Elko, Lahontan Reservoir near Fallon, Topaz Reservoir southeast of Gardnerville, Lakes Mead and Mohave and the Colorado River in Southern Nevada.

The preliminary results showed some interesting trends.

For instance, on Lake Mead, 39 percent of boaters were "just cruising," while on Mohave, only 15 percent were cruising.

As a contrast, only 4 percent on Wildhorse Reservoir were cruising. Ninety percent of those on Wildhorse were fishing compared to 13 percent at Lake Mead.

Personal flotation device usage also has provided interesting results.

Only 43 percent of respondents said they wore flotation devices at all times. Among children 18 and under, 65 percent said they wore them all the time; for children 12 and under, the number rose to 69 percent.

"Sadly, 85 percent of all the people who died in accidents involving watercraft would likely have survived had they been wearing their life jackets," Messmann said. But NDOW is pleased to learn that most boaters are selecting their onboard beverages carefully. Seventy percent of those surveyed had juices, water, soft drinks and milk on board.

Since the survey is not yet complete, NDOW would like to urge all those contacted to complete the questionnaire.

* SNOW IT ALL: Recent storms have added 12-18 inches of badly needed fresh snow to the upper elevations of Great Basin National Park, improving conditions for winter recreation.

At 10,000 feet, the recent snow rests on a two-foot base that fell before Christmas. At the Visitor Center, there is approximately six inches of fresh snow.

The backcountry and alpine areas of GBNP do not close for the winter, but are remote and little used. Primitive, no-trace camping is permitted at Wheeler Peak Campground throughout the winter, though access is by foot only. It makes an ideal base camp for those interested in overnight trips snowshoeing, cross- country skiing or ski mountaineering.

Only experienced mountaineers with the proper equipment should attempt Wheeler Peak and other summits. Registration at the Visitor Center is recommended. For more information call (775) 234-7331.

* DON'T MISS THE BOAT: The NDOW advises boaters they can avoid anticipated delays by registering their boats before the boating season gets under way.

"Boaters who register their vessels now will have little or no wait," said Kathy Teligades, NDOW license office supervisor. "Lines can be anticipated for those who wait until the height of the boating season, especially prior to holiday weekends."

NDOW is required to obtain social security numbers for everyone listed on a boat's registration.

Boats can be registered at NDOW's Las Vegas office, 4747 Vegas Drive, or the Henderson office, 744 South Racetrack Road. Both offices are open weekdays, except holidays, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

* GOOD CAUSEWAY: The Saddle Island causeway at Lake Mead will be stocked with rainbow trout weekly, courtesy of the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

The causeway was one of the original five stocking locations. However, it was temporarily discontinued due to a repair project at the site.

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