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Saugatuck
Eden Index
Climate
7.7
•
Recreation
4.2
•
Community
3.2
•
Safeguard
5.4/10
Saugatuck, Michigan is a charming small town located along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Known for its scenic beauty and welcoming community, Saugatuck offers a moderate climate with warm summers and cold winters. Average temperatures range from around 30°F (-1°C) in winter to 80°F (27°C) in summer.
Being situated near Lake Michigan, hydrology plays a significant role in Saugatuck's landscape. The town benefits from the lake's influence, which helps moderate temperatures and creates a microclimate that supports a diverse ecosystem. Additionally, the Kalamazoo River flows through Saugatuck, providing opportunities for water recreation activities such as boating, fishing, and kayaking.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to explore nature in Saugatuck. The Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers miles of hiking trails through towering sand dunes, forests, and beachfront areas. Oval Beach, a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing, provides stunning views of Lake Michigan. The town also boasts several marinas, parks, and golf courses for those seeking outdoor activities.
In conclusion, Saugatuck, Michigan's moderate climate, hydrological features, and diverse outdoor opportunities make it a desirable destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike.
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): 7.7
Saugatuck receives approximately
921mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 83%
and air temperatures averaging around
10°C.
Saugatuck 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
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): 4.2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake County Park | 25 | 670 ft | |||
| D. H. Day - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | 85 | 599 ft | |||
| Covert Park | 60 | 658 ft | |||
| Potato Creek State Park | 290 | 783 ft | |||
| Shamrock Park | None | 608 ft | |||
| Deer Creek Co Park | None | 702 ft | |||
| Pines Point | 94 | 717 ft | |||
| Van Buren State Park | 220 | 642 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): 3.2
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.