-
Snoflo Premium
Get unlimited access to all our content
With no Ad interruptions! - Start Your Free Trial Login with existing account
Ranchester
Eden Index
Climate
7.3
•
Recreation
1.3
•
Community
•
Safeguard
3.4/10
Ranchester is a small town located in Sheridan County, Wyoming, with a population of around 900 residents. Situated at an elevation of 3,743 feet, the town experiences a semi-arid climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. Average temperatures range from 20°F (-6.7°C) in winter to 85°F (29.4°C) in summer. Ranchester receives about 12 inches of precipitation annually, with most of it falling as snow during the winter months.
Hydrologically, Ranchester is surrounded by numerous creeks and rivers. The Tongue River runs along the eastern side of the town, providing beautiful scenery and opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and other water-based activities. The Bighorn Mountains, located to the west, offer breathtaking landscapes and pristine mountain streams, such as the Little Bighorn River, where visitors can enjoy fly fishing and hiking.
Outdoor recreation is abundant in Ranchester and its surroundings. The Bighorn National Forest, situated nearby, offers opportunities for camping, hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The area also boasts excellent snowmobiling and skiing options during the winter months. Overall, Ranchester provides a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a variety of recreational activities amidst its stunning natural beauty.
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
Ranchester receives approximately
469mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 69%
and air temperatures averaging around
7°C.
Ranchester has a plant hardyness factor of
4, 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
Tongue
Area Rivers
Tongue
Snowpack Depths
Tongue
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Tongue
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 1.3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Park | 10 | 8,536 ft | |||
| Bull Creek | 10 | 8,556 ft | |||
| Tensleep Creek | 5 | 5,480 ft | |||
| West Tensleep Lake | 10 | 9,089 ft | |||
| Leigh Creek | 11 | 5,354 ft | |||
| Lake View | 25 | 8,547 ft | |||
| Deer Park | 7 | 8,903 ft | |||
| Sitting Bull | 43 | 8,657 ft | |||
| Boulder Park | 28 | 7,981 ft | |||
| Medicine Lodge Lake | 8 | 9,276 ft |
Nearby Fishing
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.