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Altoona
Eden Index
Climate
7.6
•
Recreation
3.1
•
Community
4.2
•
Safeguard
5.2/10
Altoona, Iowa is a small city located in Polk County. The area experiences a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The city is located near several water resources, including the Des Moines River and Saylorville Lake, which provide recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, and boating. Like many areas in Iowa, Altoona is susceptible to nitrate pollution in its water resources due to agricultural runoff. The city provides several parks and trails for outdoor recreation, including the popular Prairie Heritage Trail and the scenic Copper Creek Lake Park, which offers fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities. Overall, Altoona is a great place for those who enjoy outdoor activities and natural beauty.
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): 7.6
Altoona receives approximately
886mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 81%
and air temperatures averaging around
10°C.
Altoona has a plant hardyness factor of
5, 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
Des Moines
Area Rivers
Des Moines
Snowpack Depths
Des Moines
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Des Moines
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 3.1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucksaw - Harry S. Truman Lake | None | 738 ft | |||
| Harry S Truman State Park | None | 864 ft | |||
| Berry Bend - Harry S. Truman Lake | None | 850 ft | |||
| Windsor Crossing - Harry S Truman Lake | 47 | 745 ft | |||
| Long Shoal - Harry S. Truman Lake | None | 783 ft | |||
| Knob Noster State Park | None | 833 ft | |||
| Shawnee Bend - Harry S Truman Lake | None | 772 ft | |||
| Lincoln City Park | 4 | 955 ft | |||
| Thibaut Point - Harry S. Truman Lake | None | 731 ft | |||
| Farrington City Park | None | 859 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): 4.2
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.