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Northwest
Eden Index
Climate
7.4
•
Recreation
3.5
•
Community
1.5
•
Safeguard
4.5/10
Northwest Michigan is characterized by a moderate climate, with warm summers and cold winters. The region experiences all four seasons, with temperatures ranging from an average high of around 80°F in the summer to lows around 20°F in winter. The area is also known for its abundance of freshwater lakes, including the popular Grand Traverse Bay. These bodies of water provide opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. Additionally, the region is home to several rivers and streams, such as the Betsie and Platte rivers, which offer excellent kayaking and canoeing adventures. Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore the sandy beaches, lush forests, and scenic trails of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, perfect for hiking, camping, and wildlife spotting.
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): 7.4
Northwest receives approximately
804mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 82%
and air temperatures averaging around
9°C.
Northwest 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
Saginaw
Area Rivers
Saginaw
Snowpack Depths
Saginaw
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Saginaw
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 3.5
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Jane Thurston State Park | 35 | 644 ft | |||
| Appleton Lake - Brighton Rec Area | None | 888 ft | |||
| Highland State Rec Area | 40 | 977 ft | |||
| Groveland Oaks County Park | None | 963 ft | |||
| Holly State Rec Area | 160 | 1,026 ft | |||
| Camp Dearborn | 191 | 934 ft | |||
| Seven Lakes State Park | 75 | 959 ft | |||
| Proud Lake State Rec Area | 130 | 1,002 ft | |||
| Bishop Lake - Brighton Rec Area | None | 901 ft | |||
| Murray Lake - Brighton Rec Area | None | 875 ft |
Nearby Ski Areas
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): 1.5
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.