CARRYING CAPACITY

(Commercial) The measure of the capacity of a lake for boating, skiing, bathing - recreational use in general - and residential occupation of the shore and shore border land without patent overcrowding, pollution and consequent danger to health and safety. Carrying capacity may be greatly limited if a single use is given priority; also it may be expanded if the surface area of the lake is zoned for particular uses and the time for use in each zone is specified. Some of the factors involved in determining carrying capacity: size, shape, depth, character and location of swimming areas and beaches, regulatory and zoning restrictions, season of year, accessibility (public or private), available services (boat liveries, marinas), level of pollution or smirchment, parking facilities, usable frontage and fish (abundance, species).