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Waltham
Eden Index
Climate
9.2
•
Recreation
5.0
•
Community
6.7
•
Safeguard
7.1/10
Waltham is a city located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, just 10 miles west of Boston. The city experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by hot and humid summers, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit. Winters are cold, with average temperatures ranging from the low 20s to mid-30s Fahrenheit, and snowfall is common.
The city is surrounded by several water bodies, including the Charles River, Beaver Brook, and Hobbs Brook. These hydrological features provide opportunities for various outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and boating. The Charles River Reservation, which runs through Waltham, is a popular spot for recreational activities like jogging, biking, and picnicking along its scenic banks.
In addition to the waterways, Waltham offers a range of outdoor recreational opportunities. Prospect Hill Park provides hiking trails and beautiful views of the city, while Beaver Brook North Reservation offers over 50 acres of woods and meadows, ideal for nature walks and bird watching. Moreover, the nearby Blue Hills Reservation offers extensive hiking trails, scenic views, and even skiing during the winter months.
Overall, Waltham's climate, hydrology, and outdoor recreational opportunities make it an attractive destination for those seeking both natural beauty and outdoor adventure.
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): 9.2
Waltham receives approximately
1245mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 72%
and air temperatures averaging around
10°C.
Waltham 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
Massachusetts-Rhode Island Coastal
Area Rivers
Massachusetts-Rhode Island Coastal
Snowpack Depths
Massachusetts-Rhode Island Coastal
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Massachusetts-Rhode Island Coastal
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 5.0
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.
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): 6.7
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.