-
Snoflo Premium
Get unlimited access to all our content
With no Ad interruptions! - Start Your Free Trial Login with existing account
Kiowa
Eden Index
Climate
8.5
•
Recreation
1.4
•
Community
2.4
•
Safeguard
4.5/10
Kiowa, Colorado is a small town located in Elbert County, about 45 miles southeast of Denver. The town experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summers are typically warm, with temperatures ranging from the mid-80s to mid-90s Fahrenheit. Winters are cold, with temperatures dropping into the 20s and occasional snowfall.
The hydrology in Kiowa is characterized by limited water resources. The town relies on groundwater from the Denver Basin aquifer system. However, in recent years, water scarcity has become a concern, leading to water conservation efforts and the implementation of strict water usage regulations.
Despite the limited water resources, Kiowa offers several outdoor recreation opportunities. The town is surrounded by picturesque natural landscapes, making it a popular destination for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching. Nearby areas, such as the Comanche National Grassland and the Bijou Basin, provide opportunities for camping, fishing, and birding. The Kiowa Creek, which flows through the town, offers a peaceful setting for picnicking and leisurely walks. Overall, Kiowa is a charming town for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a rural escape and a chance to reconnect with nature.
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): 8.5
Kiowa receives approximately
472mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 56%
and air temperatures averaging around
9°C.
Kiowa 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
South Platte
Area Rivers
South Platte
Snowpack Depths
South Platte
Reservoir Storage Capacity
South Platte
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 1.4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Jones Park | 15 | 6,522 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): 2.4
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.