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Columbia-Falls
Eden Index
Climate
7.5
•
Recreation
7.0
•
Community
•
Safeguard
5.4/10
Columbia Falls is a small town in northwestern Montana, near the Glacier National Park. The town has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. The hydrology constituents of the area include the Flathead River, Hungry Horse Reservoir, and several smaller streams and lakes. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound in the area, including hiking, fishing, boating, and skiing. The nearby Glacier National Park offers stunning vistas, while the Flathead National Forest has miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. There are also several ski resorts nearby, including Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. Overall, Columbia Falls is an ideal destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and enjoys all that nature has to offer.
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): 7.5
Columbia-Falls receives approximately
718mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 69%
and air temperatures averaging around
5°C.
Columbia-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
Pend Oreille
Area Rivers
Pend Oreille
Snowpack Depths
Pend Oreille
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Pend Oreille
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 7.0
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mary Ronan State Park | 25 | 3,771 ft | |||
| Kintla Lake - Glacier National Park | None | 4,027 ft | |||
| Quartz Creek - Glacier National Park | None | 3,516 ft | |||
| Wayfarers State Park | 30 | 2,959 ft | |||
| Bowman Lake - Glacier National Park | 50 | 4,065 ft | |||
| Moose Lake | 7 | 5,680 ft | |||
| West Shore State Park | 26 | 3,069 ft | |||
| Whitefish Lake State Park | 25 | 3,012 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):
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.