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Ashley-Falls
Eden Index
Climate
8.4
•
Recreation
4.8
•
Community
1.3
•
Safeguard
5.4/10
Ashley Falls is a small town in Southwestern Massachusetts that experiences a humid continental climate with distinct seasons. The area receives an average of 45 inches of precipitation annually and is home to several small streams and the Housatonic River. The river is a popular destination for fishing and kayaking. The town is also surrounded by the Berkshire Mountains, providing ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and skiing in the winter. The forests in the area are home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. Overall, Ashley Falls offers a beautiful natural setting for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
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): 8.4
Ashley-Falls receives approximately
1208mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 79%
and air temperatures averaging around
9°C.
Ashley-Falls 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
Area Rivers
Snowpack Depths
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 4.8
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copake Falls - Taconic State Park | None | 678 ft | |||
| Rudd Pond - Taconic State Park | None | 827 ft | |||
| October Mountain State Forest | 47 | 1,021 ft | |||
| Lake Waramaug State Park | 75 | 719 ft | |||
| Point Folly - White Memorial | 45 | 914 ft | |||
| Kettletown State Park | 65 | 137 ft | |||
| Beartown State Forest | 12 | 1,614 ft | |||
| Macedonia Brook State Park | 50 | 808 ft | |||
| Windmill Hill - White Memorial | 45 | 947 ft | |||
| Housatonic Meadows State Park | 100 | 456 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): 1.3
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.