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Saguache
Eden Index
Climate
6.6
•
Recreation
•
Community
•
Safeguard
2.6/10
Saguache, Colorado, located in the San Luis Valley, is a small town with a population of around 500. The town experiences a high desert climate, characterized by cool winters and warm summers, with low humidity and abundant sunshine year-round. The average temperature ranges from the 30s in winter to the 80s in summer.
When it comes to hydrology constituents, Saguache sits in a region known for its water resources. The town is surrounded by the Rio Grande and San Luis Creek, which provide irrigation for the area's agricultural activities.
Outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful in Saguache and its surrounding areas. The nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains offer various opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, located about an hour away, is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, providing visitors with unique experiences like sandboarding and sand sledding. Other activities include fishing, hunting, and exploring the extensive network of trails for horseback riding and mountain biking.
Overall, Saguache offers a diverse range of outdoor recreational activities, making it an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts.
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): 6.6
Saguache receives approximately
234mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 69%
and air temperatures averaging around
6°C.
Saguache 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):
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron City | 15 | 9,928 ft | |||
| Mirror Lake - Almont | 10 | 11,007 ft | |||
| Cottonwood Lake | 24 | 9,586 ft | |||
| Chalk Lake | 19 | 8,743 ft | |||
| Mount Princeton | 19 | 8,618 ft | |||
| Hecla Junction - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area | None | 7,415 ft | |||
| Collegiate Peaks | 56 | 9,837 ft | |||
| Cascade | 22 | 9,033 ft | |||
| Ruby Mountain - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area | None | 7,651 ft | |||
| Railroad Bridge - Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area | None | 8,039 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):
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.