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Waconia
Eden Index
Climate
6.4
•
Recreation
4.1
•
Community
4.7
•
Safeguard
5.2/10
Waconia is a picturesque city located in Carver County, Minnesota. Known for its natural beauty, Waconia experiences a continental climate, characterized by cold winters and warm summers. The average temperature in winter hovers around 15°F (-9°C), while summer temperatures reach an enjoyable 80°F (27°C). The area receives an average annual precipitation of 30 inches, with snowfall being common during the winter months.
Situated near the southern shore of Lake Waconia, hydrology plays a significant role in the city's landscape. The lake, along with several other smaller lakes in the area, offers numerous water-based recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming. Lake Waconia is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, with anglers often catching bass, walleye, and northern pike.
In addition to its lakes, Waconia is surrounded by lush green spaces and parks, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Carver Park Reserve, located nearby, offers hiking and biking trails, as well as opportunities for camping and picnicking. The city also boasts golf courses, sports fields, and playgrounds, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Overall, Waconia's climate, hydrology constituents, and outdoor recreation opportunities make it an ideal destination for those seeking a blend of natural beauty and adventurous 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): 6.4
Waconia receives approximately
771mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 83%
and air temperatures averaging around
7°C.
Waconia has a plant hardyness factor of
4, 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
Minnesota
Area Rivers
Minnesota
Snowpack Depths
Minnesota
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Minnesota
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosby Memorial Park | None | 1,243 ft | |||
| Cuyuna Country State Park - Portsmouth Campground | 25 | 1,238 ft | |||
| Hill Lake City Park | 30 | 1,274 ft | |||
| Mille Lacs Kathio State Park | 70 | 1,281 ft | |||
| Ann Lake - Sand Dunes State Forest | 30 | 990 ft | |||
| Pokegama Rec Area | 21 | 1,291 ft | |||
| Washburn Lake - Land OLakes State Forest | 30 | 1,347 ft | |||
| Aitkin County Campground | 7 | 1,201 ft | |||
| Clubhouse | 55 | 1,434 ft | |||
| Riverside City Park - Princeton | None | 956 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): 4.7
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.