Managing tourism sustainably in a continuously developing destination: A study of the Lake Taneycomo watershed

Keywords: overtourism, sustainable tourism, resource management, watershed management, development
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Lake Taneycomo is an artificial lake in southwestern Missouri that was created by the damming of the White River. The water body has become an integral asset to communities in the area as recreation and tourism industries have flourished since the establishment of this artificial lake that is bounded to the east by the Ozark Beach dam (completed in 1913) and to the west by the Table Rock dam (completed in 1958). Rapid growth around this lake’s watershed has generated a need for a study to evaluate sustainability of current resource management and tourism practices in the area. This study addresses the sustainability of tourism conditions and water quality in the Lake Taneycomo watershed by utilizing a combination of survey result analysis, literature review, map creation and review, and interviews with local stakeholders. Survey results show that the largest areas of concern include waste management, especially in terms of tourism, erosion and sedimentation issues, nutrient pollution in the lake, and tourism seasonality. My research assesses current infrastructure and sustainability measures already in place in regard to tourism around the Lake Taneycomo watershed area. I also provide suggestions for best management practices to manage erosion and sedimentation, mitigation strategies for problem areas, and paths to achieve and maintain increased sustainability for the tourism industry in the future.