Factor analysis is used to examine the relationship between variations in shoreline physiography and perception of water level fluctuation by reservoir recreation users. Three elements of perception are examined: frequency of objection to water level fluctuation, frequency with which users feel that recreation enjoyment is reduced by water level fluctuation, and, as an element that may reflect perception, user days of recreation. A test of the relationship between factors and water level fluctuation is made by correlating factor scores with storage capacity on 11 reservoirs and three control lakes. Five factors are identified and evaluated in terms of their significance to recreation.