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Albert-Lea
Eden Index
Climate
6.5
•
Recreation
2.8
•
Community
2.6
•
Safeguard
4.2/10
Albert Lea, Minnesota is located in the southern part of the state and experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of about 34 inches. The city sits on the shores of Fountain Lake and is surrounded by several other lakes and streams, making it a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other water activities. However, due to agricultural runoff, the lakes and streams in the area have experienced high levels of nutrients, primarily nitrates, which can lead to harmful algal blooms. Despite this, the city offers several outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking and biking trails, parks, and golf courses.
What is the Eden Index?
The Snoflo Eden Index serves as a comprehensive rating system for regions, evaluating their desirability through a holistic assessment of climate health, outdoor recreation opportunities, and natural disaster risk, acknowledging the profound impact of these factors on livability and well-being.
Climate Health Indicator (CHI): 6.5
Albert-Lea receives approximately
856mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 81%
and air temperatures averaging around
8°C.
Albert-Lea has a plant hardyness factor of
4, meaning
plants and agriculture in this region thrive during a short period during spring and early summer. Most
plants will die off during the colder winter months.
By considering the ideal temperature range, reliable water supplies, clean air, and stable seasonal rain or snowpacks, the Climate Health Indicator (CHI) underscores the significance of a healthy climate as the foundation for quality living.
A healthy climate is paramount for ensuring a high quality of life and livability in a region, fostering both physical well-being and environmental harmony. This can be characterized by ideal temperatures, reliable access to water supplies, clean air, and consistent seasonal rain or snowpacks.
Weather Forecast
Streamflow Conditions
Iowa
Area Rivers
Iowa
Snowpack Depths
Iowa
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Iowa
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 2.8
The Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI) recognizes the value of outdoor recreational options, such as parks, hiking trails, camping sites, and fishing spots, while acknowledging that climate plays a pivotal role in ensuring the comfort and consistency of these experiences.
Access to outdoor recreational opportunities, encompassing activities such as parks, hiking, camping, and fishing, is crucial for overall well-being, and the climate plays a pivotal role in enabling and enhancing these experiences, ensuring that individuals can engage in nature-based activities comfortably and consistently.
Camping Areas
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itasca County Fairgrounds | None | 1,302 ft | |||
| Snake River City Campground | 12 | 1,257 ft | |||
| Father Hennepin State Park | 100 | 1,313 ft | |||
| Isanti County Fairgrounds | None | 956 ft | |||
| Ashton Wildwood Park | None | 942 ft | |||
| Riverside City Park - Princeton | None | 956 ft | |||
| Pokegama Rec Area | 21 | 1,291 ft | |||
| American Legion Park - Warba | None | 1,294 ft | |||
| Sakatah Lake State Park | 60 | 1,053 ft | |||
| Cleary Lake Regional Park | 6 | 953 ft |
Nearby Ski Areas
Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI):
The Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI) recognizes that natural disaster risk, encompassing floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, can drastically affect safety and the overall appeal of an area.
The level of natural disaster risk in a region significantly affects safety and the overall livability, with climate change amplifying these risks by potentially increasing the frequency and intensity of events like floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, thereby posing substantial challenges to community resilience and well-being.
Community Resilience Indicator (CRI): 2.6
The Community Resilience Indicator (CRI) recognizes that education, healthcare, and socioeconomics are crucial to the well-being of a region. The CRI acknowledges the profound impact of these elements on residents' overall quality of life. By evaluating educational resources, healthcare accessibility, and economic inclusivity, the index captures the essential aspects that contribute to a thriving community, fostering resident satisfaction, equity, and social cohesion.