Recreation L imited in area, the 0.32 percent of Arizona's surface covered by lakes, rivers and streams includes some of the state's most popular recreational spots. Two out of three Arizonans visit water-based recreation areas at least once per year.
Destinations range from large lakes along the Colorado River to small mountain and canyon streams.
Closer to home, water is enjoyed in some 190,000 backyard pools and numerous water parks. Water-based recreation also attracts visitors to Arizona. Of the 25 million tourists visiting the state annually, more than half flock to places along the Colorado River, such as Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and Lake Havasu, helping to create a state-wide tourism industry that employs 100,000. Because these reservoirs are operated for multiple purposes, including flood control, wa ter supply and power generation, conflicts increasingly arise over the way some dams are operated. Recreation along rivers and streams includes fishing, bird watching, canoeing, rafting, tubing and hiking.