Like all outdoor activities, raftin

Like all outdoor activities, rafting must balance its use of nature with the conservation of rivers as a natural resource and habitat. Because of these issues, some rivers now have regulations restricting the annual and daily operating times or numbers of rafters.

Conflicts have arisen when rafting operators, often in co-operation with municipalities and tourism associations, alter the riverbed by dredging and/or blasting in order to eliminate safety hazards or create more interesting whitewater features in the river. Environmentalists argue that this may have negative impacts to riparian and aquatic ecosystems, while proponents claim these measures are usually only temporary, since a riverbed is naturally subject to permanent changes during large floods and other events.

Rafting contributes to the economy of many regions which in turn may contribute to the protection of rivers from hydroelectric power generation, diversion for irrigation, and other development. Additionally, white water rafting trips can promote environmentalism. Commercial rafting companies that employ professional raft guides to lead multi-day trips through the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System have the potential to develop the environmental stewardship and general environmental behaviors of visitors. Studies suggest that environmental efficacy increases when there is an increase in the length of the trip, daily immersion, and the amount of resource interpretation by the guide. Educating visitors has the potential to counteract negative affects of that visitation. [9] By experiencing firsthand the beauty of a river, individuals who would otherwise be indifferent to environmental issues may gain a strong desire to protect and preserve that area because of their positive outdoor experience.