WATER QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS RESULTING FROM A MASS GATHERING ON THE OZARK-ST. FRANCIS NATIONAL FORESTS: THE LARGEST DRUM CIRCLE ON THE BUFFALO RIVER

The long-term sustainability of public land is critical to American's values. Unmanaged recreation occurs when careless or uniformed users act in discordance with regulations, irresponsibly utilize, or create significant acute or cumulative damage to resources. Such activities range from intensive motorized vehicle use, to insensitive spelunking. The Forest Service (USFS) recognizes recreation as an appropriate use of public lands, and has a record of addressing unmanaged recreation outcomes. A site on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests was selected for the Rainbow Family of Living Light Gathering. This loosely knit group assembles for a 2-week period each year on public lands. This event poses a unique set of unmanaged recreation challenges.

5,000 participants concentrated on a 70 acre site, culminating July 4th, along the Buffalo River in Newton County, AR. This remote site occupied floodplains along the river where trafficked trails compacted soils, campsites denuded vegetation, and bridges were constructed to pass moving water. This presentation documents water quality downstream during this event. Dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, temperature, and stage were recorded in situ at a monitoring site inside the Upper Buffalo Wilderness area. Bacteriological and nutrient analyses were performed on grab samples. An analysis of weather conditions and river stage is also included. Observations of other environmental impacts are also presented.

Water quality values were compared to state regulations and guidelines for public health. In addition, these values were compared to values obtained from monitoring conducted during 1990 -1995. Values for turbidity and bacteria were found in excess of regulatory limits. Turbidity, conductivity, and nutrient values were found to be greater than historical values. Bacteriological sampling occurring more than 10 miles downstream were within a normal range of values expected for this location this time of year. Hydrologic conditions were present which question the attainment of Clean Water Act compliance.

Understanding the ramifications of this type of unmanaged recreation is critical to successfully challenging and preventing these activities in the future. Monitoring conducted for this study highlights the effects of unmanaged recreation on water quality.