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Moffat
Eden Index
Climate
6.7
•
Recreation
0.6
•
Community
•
Safeguard
2.9/10
Moffat, Colorado is a small town located in Saguache County in the southern part of the state. The town sits at an elevation of 7,485 feet and is surrounded by stunning mountain vistas. Moffat experiences a semi-arid climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summers are typically mild with temperatures ranging from the 70s to the 80s°F, while winters can be quite cold with temperatures dipping below freezing.
The hydrology constituents of Moffat include the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. The park also boasts a creek and wetlands, providing a diverse ecosystem for visitors to explore. Additionally, the San Luis Valley, where Moffat is located, is known for its extensive underground aquifers, which provide water to the local communities and support agriculture in the region.
Outdoor recreation opportunities in Moffat and its surroundings are abundant. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife watching in Great Sand Dunes National Park. The nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains offer opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in the numerous lakes and rivers. Moffat is also a gateway to the Colorado Trail, a 500-mile long-distance hiking trail that traverses the state. Overall, Moffat provides a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the natural beauty of Colorado.
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): 6.7
Moffat receives approximately
229mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 69%
and air temperatures averaging around
6°C.
Moffat 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
Rio Grande Headwaters
Area Rivers
Rio Grande Headwaters
Snowpack Depths
Rio Grande Headwaters
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Rio Grande Headwaters
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 0.6
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayden Creek | 11 | 7,758 ft | |||
| Ruby Mountain - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area | None | 7,651 ft | |||
| Hecla Junction - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area | None | 7,415 ft | |||
| Coaldale | 10 | 7,340 ft | |||
| San Luis State Park | 51 | 7,511 ft | |||
| Rincon - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area | 10 | 6,788 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):
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.