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Highland-Center
Eden Index
Climate
8.0
•
Recreation
1.7
•
Community
2.2
•
Safeguard
4.3/10
Highland Center is a small town located in northern Iowa with a population of just over 200 people. The town has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The area is characterized by agricultural land use, and as a result, the main hydrology constituents are nitrates and phosphates. The nearby Boyer River provides opportunities for fishing and boating, and the River Valley Trail system offers miles of hiking and biking trails. Additionally, the area is known for its hunting opportunities, including deer, turkey, and pheasant. Despite its small size, Highland Center offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors and residents alike.
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): 8.0
Highland-Center receives approximately
939mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 84%
and air temperatures averaging around
11°C.
Highland-Center 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): 1.7
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barkshed | 6 | 559 ft | |||
| Gunner Pool | 40 | 492 ft | |||
| Henderson - Norfolk Lake | None | 590 ft | |||
| Rush Landing - Buffalo National River | None | 451 ft | |||
| Bull Shoals State Park | None | 516 ft | |||
| Robinson Point - Norfolk Lake | None | 605 ft | |||
| Quarry Cove - Norfolk Lake | None | 628 ft | |||
| Lakeview - Bull Shoals Lake | None | 757 ft | |||
| Woods Point - Norfolk Lake | 11 | 548 ft | |||
| Buffalo Point - Buffalo National River | None | 535 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): 2.2
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.