Two techniques were employed to assess public attitudes toward use of water resources for hydroelectric and recreational purposes. A sample of 309 households in Roanoke, Va., selected by the cluster technique, were interviewed in their homes. On the general question of water use, employing a Likert scale, it was found that respondents with higher occupational positions and educational attainment were more negative toward water related questions than persons at the opposite end of the occupational and educational continuum. It was also found that younger respondents were more negative than older respondents. The Likert scale produced a reliability coefficient of 0.538. An eight-item Semantic Differential scale was developed to assess intensity of feeling toward recreational use of water compared to hydroelectric use. The scales produced a reliability coefficient of 0.84 for the recreational statement and 0.87 for the statement dealing with power. The techniques appear to provide approaches for explorations into characteristics associated with positive and negative attitudes toward various uses of water resources. The techniques could provide guidelines in attempts to gain support for water development and reclamation projects. (Author)