Mena

Climate Recreation Community Catastrophe

Mena
Eden Index

Climate 7.3 Recreation 4.6 Community 1.7 Safeguard

5.0/10

Mena, Arkansas is a charming city located in Polk County, nestled in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains. The city experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot and humid summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall throughout the year. Summers are typically hot, with temperatures averaging in the 90s°F (32°C), while winters are mild, with average temperatures ranging from the 30s°F (-1°C) to the 50s°F (10°C).

Hydrologically, Mena is enriched by several creeks and rivers, including the Ouachita River and the Little Missouri River. These water bodies provide ample opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The nearby Ouachita National Forest also offers various trails and campsites for hiking and camping enthusiasts. One popular recreational spot is Queen Wilhelmina State Park, which boasts scenic views, hiking trails, and a mountaintop lodge.

Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore the nearby Ouachita National Recreation Trail, a 223-mile-long trail that winds through the picturesque landscapes of the Ouachita Mountains, offering stunning views and opportunities for backpacking, camping, and wildlife spotting. Overall, Mena, Arkansas provides a rich array of outdoor activities and breathtaking natural beauty 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): 7.3


Mena receives approximately 1513mm of rain per year, with humidity levels near 80% and air temperatures averaging around 16°C. Mena has a plant hardyness factor of 7, meaning plants and agriculture in this region tend to thrive during the non-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

Upper Ouachita

Area Rivers

Upper Ouachita



Snowpack Depths

Upper Ouachita



Reservoir Storage Capacity

Upper Ouachita



Groundwater Levels


Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 4.6


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
Lee Creek Public Use Area None 401 ft
Lake Ft. Smith State Park None 745 ft
Jefferson Ridge - Dierks Lake None 589 ft
Little Coon Creek - Gillham Lake 10 508 ft
Lake Wedington Rec. Area 152 1,131 ft
Herron Creek - Wright Patman Reservoir 100 267 ft
Sand Bar Bridge - Cossatot River State Park 7 655 ft
Charleston Lake 4 487 ft
Atlanta State Park 60 286 ft
White Cliffs - Millwood Lake 18 270 ft
Vine Prairie None 402 ft
Intake Hill Park- Wright Patman Lake None 251 ft
Kelly Creek Park - Lake Wright Patman 80 252 ft
Prairie Creek - Beaver Lake 112 1,135 ft
Horseshoe Bend - Dierks Lake 11 472 ft
Fort Chaffee RV Military None 448 ft
Neosho City Campground 20 1,136 ft
River Ridge - Ozark Lake 18 391 ft
Elliott Lake Military - Red River None 290 ft
Caddo Lake State Park 28 281 ft
Little Pines 9 805 ft
Queen Wilhelmina State Park None 2,521 ft
Tinkle Park - Lake Murvaul None 275 ft
Devils Den State Park None 1,035 ft
Paraloma Landing - Millwood Lake 34 270 ft
Big Coon Creek - Gillham Lake 31 541 ft
Cossatot Reefs - Gillham Lake 30 589 ft
Four States Fairgrounds RV None 340 ft
Malden Lake - Wright Pattman Lake 39 259 ft
Cossatot Falls - Cossatot River State Park 15 842 ft
Bard Springs 17 1,380 ft
Rocky Point - Wright Patman Lake 125 259 ft
Piney Point - Wright Patman Lake 70 298 ft
Millwood State Park None 313 ft
Blue Ridge - Dierks Lake 22 625 ft
Lamar City Park None 930 ft
Shady Lake 66 1,229 ft
Jackson Creek Park - Lake Texarkana None 327 ft
Cass County Park 46 244 ft
Clear Springs - Wright Patman Lake 100 259 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): 1.7


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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