Eden Index

South-Lake-Tahoe

Climate • Recreation • Community • Catastrophe

South-Lake-Tahoe
Eden Index
Climate 8.3 • Recreation 10.0 • Community 3.8 • Safeguard

7.8/10

South Lake Tahoe, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is a breathtaking destination in California known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Winters bring abundant snowfall, making it a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports.

The hydrology of South Lake Tahoe is dominated by the pristine Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America. The lake is renowned for its crystal-clear blue waters and is fed by over 63 tributaries, providing a critical water source for the surrounding region. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the lake's depths through activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.

In addition to the lake, South Lake Tahoe offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. The area boasts miles of hiking and biking trails, with options for all levels of experience. The nearby Desolation Wilderness is a hiker's paradise, featuring stunning granite peaks, glacial lakes, and meadows. The region also offers opportunities for boating, golfing, camping, and wildlife viewing, making it a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers 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): 8.3


South-Lake-Tahoe receives approximately 818mm of rain per year, with humidity levels near 60% and air temperatures averaging around 7°C. South-Lake-Tahoe 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

Truckee

Area Rivers

Truckee



Snowpack Depths

Truckee



Reservoir Storage Capacity

Truckee



Groundwater Levels


Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 10.0


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
Pacific Valley 15 7,533 ft
William Kent 95 6,337 ft
Alpine Meadows None 5,834 ft
Middle Creek/Expansion 35 8,106 ft
Silver Valley 21 7,365 ft
Mosquito Lakes 11 8,063 ft
Fallen Leaf 206 6,345 ft
Upper Blue Lake Dam 25 8,162 ft
Kit Carson 12 6,865 ft
Pine Marten 32 7,334 ft
Tahoe State Rec Area 27 6,262 ft
Lake Alpine 25 7,351 ft
Caples Lake 34 7,897 ft
Mount Rose 24 8,905 ft
Emerald Bay State Park 100 6,548 ft
Bloomfield 2 20 7,966 ft
Meeks Bay 40 6,225 ft
Bloomfield I 20 7,851 ft
Silvertip 23 7,545 ft
Sugar Pine Point State Park 175 6,465 ft
Kaspian 9 6,276 ft
Goose Meadow 24 5,970 ft
Silver Creek-Truckee 27 6,041 ft
Davis Creek 63 5,171 ft
D.L. Bliss State Park 170 6,872 ft
Lake Forest 20 6,260 ft
Hope Valley 24 7,155 ft
Lodgepole Overflow 30 7,346 ft
Silver Fork 35 5,531 ft
Bayview 13 6,819 ft
Grouse Flat 10 7,218 ft
Camp Richardson Complex 320 6,250 ft
Turtle Rock Park 28 6,057 ft
Campground by the Lake 170 6,256 ft
Camp Shelley None 6,256 ft
Nevada Beach 54 6,213 ft
Upper Blue Lake 32 8,172 ft
Kirkwood Lake 12 7,674 ft
Grover Hot Springs State Park 76 5,879 ft
Highland Lakes 35 8,632 ft
Hermit Valley 25 7,163 ft
Lower Blue Lake 16 8,116 ft
El Dorado None 6,255 ft
Crystal Springs 25 6,065 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): 3.8


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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