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Balcones-Heights
Eden Index
Climate
7.9
•
Recreation
4.9
•
Community
1.7
•
Safeguard
5.3/10
Balcones Heights is a small city in Bexar County, Texas, located within the San Antonio metropolitan area. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The region is characterized by rolling hills, limestone cliffs, and dense vegetation. The hydrology of Balcones Heights is dominated by the Edwards Aquifer, a critical source of drinking water for the region. Outdoor recreation opportunities in the area include hiking and biking on the Leon Creek Greenway, exploring the Friedrich Wilderness Park, and visiting the nearby San Antonio River Walk. Additionally, the city is home to several parks and open spaces, including Balcones Heights City Park and Wonderland of the Americas Park.
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): 7.9
Balcones-Heights receives approximately
805mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 83%
and air temperatures averaging around
21°C.
Balcones-Heights has a plant hardyness factor of
8, meaning
plants and agriculture in this region tend to thrive here all year round.
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
San Antonio
Area Rivers
San Antonio
Snowpack Depths
San Antonio
Reservoir Storage Capacity
San Antonio
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 4.9
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lackland AFB Military | None | 734 ft | |||
| Badu Park | 15 | 1,011 ft | |||
| Braunig Lake Park | None | 514 ft | |||
| Black Rock Park | 36 | 1,034 ft | |||
| Escondido Ranch Military - Kingsville NAS | None | 265 ft | |||
| Cedar Point Rec Area | None | 1,016 ft | |||
| Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park | 33 | 1,103 ft | |||
| Inks Lake State Park | 197 | 920 ft | |||
| Blanco State Park | 35 | 1,319 ft | |||
| Calliham - Choke Canyon State Park | 40 | 243 ft |
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): 1.7
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.