Saranac

Climate Recreation Community Catastrophe

Saranac
Eden Index

Climate 7.1 Recreation 4.1 Community 1.8 Safeguard

4.7/10

Saranac, Michigan is a small village located in Ionia County, in the central part of the state. The village experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Average high temperatures in the summer range from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures average in the mid-30s to low 20s. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.

Saranac is surrounded by numerous lakes and rivers, making it a great place for outdoor enthusiasts. The Grand River, one of Michigan's longest rivers, flows just a few miles west of the village. This provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking. Additionally, there are several smaller lakes in the area, including Morrison Lake, Sessions Lake, and Jordan Lake, which offer further recreational activities such as swimming, water skiing, and hiking along their shores.

The region's hydrology is also influenced by wetlands, streams, and creeks, which contribute to the overall ecosystem and provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. Saranac's natural surroundings offer a pleasant environment for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and enjoy various recreational activities.

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): 7.1


Saranac receives approximately 918mm of rain per year, with humidity levels near 82% and air temperatures averaging around 9°C. Saranac 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

Southeastern Lake Michigan

Area Rivers

Southeastern Lake Michigan



Snowpack Depths

Southeastern Lake Michigan



Reservoir Storage Capacity

Southeastern Lake Michigan



Groundwater Levels


Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 4.1


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
Thurston Co Park None 616 ft
Log Lake Co Park None 1,045 ft
Ouabache State Park 125 822 ft
Cold Brook County Park 51 941 ft
Rose Lake Park 160 1,275 ft
Forks - State Forest 8 857 ft
Hidden Diamonds City Park None 901 ft
Guernsey Lake - State Forest 36 971 ft
Steuben County Park None 1,019 ft
East Jordan Tourist Park None 582 ft
Veterans Memorial Park - Marion None 1,166 ft
Wooden Shoe County Park None 611 ft
Lake Billings Campground None 1,108 ft
Pinney Bridge - State Forest 15 755 ft
Whiting County Park 58 593 ft
Haymarsh State Game Area 19 1,031 ft
Angel Cove 110 932 ft
Bixler Lake City Campground 100 965 ft
Young State Park 240 630 ft
Sunrise Lake Park 17 1,273 ft
Goose Lake - State Forest 54 1,267 ft
Fishermans Island State Park 80 603 ft
School Section Lake Park 167 966 ft
Graves Crossing - State Forest 10 668 ft
Johnny Appleseed Park 40 759 ft
Chain OLakes State Park 410 956 ft
Wabasis Lake County Park None 875 ft
Long Lake (Missaukee) - State Forest 20 1,258 ft
Missaukee Lake County Park 117 1,243 ft
Craven County Park 48 635 ft
Crittenden County Park 90 1,087 ft
Barry Expo Center 260 821 ft
Dyer Lake - State Forest 0 1,153 ft
Ionia State Rec Area 100 762 ft
Merrill Lake Park None 1,050 ft
Memorial Park Campground - Coldwater None 927 ft
Cade Lake County Park 62 869 ft
Pokagon State Park 275 1,026 ft
Barnes County Park 76 646 ft
Big Mud Lake - State Forest 8 1,046 ft
Blanchard Millpond Park None 935 ft
Crooked Lake County Park 52 1,273 ft
Maple Grove City Park 23 1,247 ft
Potawatomi Rec Area 123 949 ft
Sulak 12 1,041 ft
Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area 45 911 ft
Fort Custer State Rec Area 220 808 ft
Long Lake (Wexford) - State Forest 16 1,270 ft
Bertha Brock County Park 23 670 ft
Whitewater Township Park None 641 ft
Tyden City Park None 774 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): 1.8


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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