Columbia

Climate Recreation Community Catastrophe

Columbia
Eden Index

Climate 9.8 Recreation 2.8 Community 3.0 Safeguard

5.6/10

Columbia is a small town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania known for its rich history and beautiful countryside. The climate in Columbia is temperate with a humid subtropical climate. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year, with snowfall occurring in the winter months. The Susquehanna River flows through Columbia, providing numerous opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and boating. The surrounding area is also dotted with parks and hiking trails, including the nearby Chickies Rock Park, which offers stunning views of the river and is a popular spot for rock climbing. Additionally, the Northwest River Trail runs through the town and is a great option for cycling or walking. Water quality in the area is closely monitored by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, with a focus on reducing nitrogen and phosphorus levels.

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): 9.8


Columbia receives approximately 1110mm of rain per year, with humidity levels near 76% and air temperatures averaging around 12°C. Columbia has a plant hardyness factor of 6, 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

Lower Susquehanna

Area Rivers

Lower Susquehanna



Snowpack Depths

Lower Susquehanna



Reservoir Storage Capacity

Lower Susquehanna



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
Stoevers Dam Park None 556 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): 3.0


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.


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