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Madison
Eden Index
Climate
7.0
•
Recreation
2.8
•
Community
3.9
•
Safeguard
4.7/10
Madison, Wisconsin is located in the heart of the Midwest and is known for its four distinct seasons. The city experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by hot and humid summers, cold winters, and moderate rainfall throughout the year. Summers in Madison are typically warm with temperatures ranging from the 70s to 90s Fahrenheit, while winters are cold with temperatures often dropping below freezing.
Situated between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, Madison is blessed with abundant water resources. The city's hydrology constituents include the Yahara River, which flows through the heart of downtown and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking. The lakes themselves provide further recreational activities such as swimming, water skiing, and sailing.
Madison's outdoor recreation opportunities extend beyond its waterways. The city boasts numerous parks, hiking trails, and bike paths, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Popular spots include the UW Arboretum, Picnic Point, and the Capital City State Trail, which connects to a larger trail network. During winter, residents and visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing in the area.
Overall, Madison's climate, hydrology constituents, and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities make it a delightful destination for those seeking both natural beauty and recreational activities.
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): 7.0
Madison receives approximately
905mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 83%
and air temperatures averaging around
8°C.
Madison 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
Rock
Area Rivers
Rock
Snowpack Depths
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Reservoir Storage Capacity
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder - Lake Carlyle | 90 | 457 ft | |||
| Marathon Lake | 71 | 481 ft | |||
| McLeod Water Park | None | 22 ft | |||
| Buccaneer State Park | 276 | 5 ft | |||
| Paul B Johnson State Park | None | 245 ft | |||
| Little Black Creek Waterpark | None | 296 ft | |||
| Lake Walker Military - Camp Shelby | None | 239 ft | |||
| Shockaloe Base Camp I | 10 | 578 ft | |||
| Lake Ross Barnett | 22 | 402 ft | |||
| Big Creek Waterpark | None | 254 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): 3.9
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.