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Highland
Eden Index
Climate
8.3
•
Recreation
2.8
•
Community
3.8
•
Safeguard
5.2/10
Highland, Illinois is a small city located in Madison County. The city experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The region is characterized by several hydrology constituents, including the Kaskaskia River and numerous creeks that flow throughout the area. Highland boasts several outdoor recreation opportunities, including Silver Lake Park, which features a 50-acre lake for boating and fishing, as well as hiking and biking trails. The city is also home to the Highland Park and Aquatic Center, offering swimming and other water-based activities. Additionally, visitors can explore the nearby Shawnee National Forest for hiking, camping, and scenic drives.
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): 8.3
Highland receives approximately
1097mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 82%
and air temperatures averaging around
13°C.
Highland 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
Kaskaskia
Area Rivers
Kaskaskia
Snowpack Depths
Kaskaskia
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Kaskaskia
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLeod Water Park | None | 22 ft | |||
| Roosevelt State Park | None | 562 ft | |||
| Dry Creek Water Park | None | 514 ft | |||
| Lake Mike Conner | 20 | 314 ft | |||
| Simpson County Lake | 11 | 427 ft | |||
| Lake Ross Barnett | 22 | 402 ft | |||
| Walkiah Bluff Water Park | None | 38 ft | |||
| Okatoma Water Park | None | 396 ft | |||
| Little Black Creek Waterpark | None | 296 ft | |||
| Lake Columbia | 12 | 212 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): 3.8
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.