(a) Wild rivers are generally five miles or more in length, free of diversions and impoundments, and accessible only by water, foot or horse trail. Their river areas are primitive and undeveloped in nature. In general the minimum distance from the river to a public road or a private road open to the public is one-half mile. Management of wild river areas will be directed to the perpetuation of their wild condition.

(b) Scenic rivers are generally free of diversions or impoundments with limited road access. Their river areas are essentially primitive and undeveloped or are used for agriculture, forest management and other dispersed human activities which do not in themselves substantially constrain public use and enjoyment of these rivers and their environs. Management of scenic river areas will be directed to preserving and restoring their natural scenic qualities.

(c) Recreational rivers are generally readily accessible, and may have a significant amount of development in their river areas and may have been impounded or diverted in the past. Management of recreational river areas will be directed to preserving and restoring their natural, cultural, scenic and recreational qualities, except in areas delineated by the department as communities, which will be managed to avoid adverse environmental impacts and loss of existing river corridor values.