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Ritzville
Eden Index
Climate
8.4
•
Recreation
•
Community
•
Safeguard
3.4/10
Ritzville is a small town located in Adams County, Washington. With a semi-arid climate, Ritzville experiences hot summers and cold winters. Summers are typically dry with temperatures reaching the 90s Fahrenheit, while winters are cooler with occasional snowfall and temperatures dropping below freezing.
The hydrology of Ritzville is influenced by the surrounding landscape and the nearby Snake River. The region is characterized by low rainfall, making irrigation crucial for agricultural activities. The aquifer system plays a vital role in providing water for both irrigation and domestic use.
Despite its agricultural focus, Ritzville offers various outdoor recreation opportunities. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the nearby Potholes Reservoir, known for its fishing and boating activities. The reservoir is home to a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and walleye. Additionally, the surrounding area offers opportunities for camping, hiking, and bird watching.
In conclusion, Ritzville's climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cold winters. Its hydrology is influenced by the surrounding landscape and the importance of irrigation. Outdoor recreation opportunities in the area include fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and bird watching around Potholes Reservoir.
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): 8.4
Ritzville receives approximately
305mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 64%
and air temperatures averaging around
9°C.
Ritzville 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
Upper Columbia
Area Rivers
Upper Columbia
Snowpack Depths
Upper Columbia
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Upper Columbia
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI):
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palouse Falls State Park | 10 | 804 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.