Salt-Flat

Climate Recreation Community Catastrophe

Salt-Flat
Eden Index

Climate 8.7 Recreation 1.8 Community Safeguard

4.1/10

Salt Flat is a small unincorporated community located in Hudspeth County, Texas, near the Guadalupe Mountains. The area is characterized by its arid climate and unique hydrology constituents. Summers in Salt Flat are hot and dry, with average temperatures reaching the mid-90s°F (35°C). Winters are milder, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s°F (2°C) to the low 60s°F (15°C). Rainfall is scarce, averaging around 10 inches per year, and the area is prone to occasional dust storms.

Hydrologically, Salt Flat is close to the Salt Basin, which contains the Salt Flats Playa. The playa is a vast, flat expanse of salt deposits, creating a striking and surreal landscape. It is a remnant of an ancient lake and attracts visitors interested in its geological formations and historical value.

While outdoor recreation opportunities in Salt Flat are limited due to the harsh climate and arid terrain, the area is popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts. The nearby Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers various hiking trails, including the challenging Guadalupe Peak Trail, which leads to the highest point in Texas. Visitors can also explore the salt flats and surrounding desert landscapes, marveling at the unique and stark beauty of the area.

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): 8.7


Salt-Flat receives approximately 251mm of rain per year, with humidity levels near 74% and air temperatures averaging around 17°C. Salt-Flat has a plant hardyness factor of 7, meaning plants and agriculture in this region tend to thrive during the non-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 Closed Basins

Area Rivers

Rio Grande Closed Basins



Snowpack Depths

Rio Grande Closed Basins



Reservoir Storage Capacity

Rio Grande Closed Basins



Groundwater Levels


Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 1.8


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.


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.


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