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Watertown
Eden Index
Climate
6.4
•
Recreation
3.8
•
Community
4.4
•
Safeguard
5.0/10
Watertown, Minnesota is a charming town located in Carver County, approximately 30 miles west of downtown Minneapolis. It experiences a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summers are typically mild to warm, with average temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters, on the other hand, can be quite cold, with average temperatures hovering around 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The town is surrounded by numerous lakes and wetlands, making it a hydrologically diverse region. Lake Minnetonka, one of the largest lakes in Minnesota, is located just a few miles to the east, offering various recreational activities like boating, fishing, and swimming. Watertown itself is home to several smaller lakes, including Lake Waconia, allowing for additional water-based activities.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy an array of recreational opportunities in Watertown. There are several parks and trails for hiking, biking, and picnicking, such as the Luce Line State Trail and Watertown-Mayer Community Park. Additionally, the town is situated near Carver Park Reserve, which features campgrounds, nature trails, and horseback riding facilities.
Overall, Watertown, Minnesota provides a beautiful natural landscape, with its lakes, wetlands, and outdoor recreational opportunities, making it an inviting 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): 6.4
Watertown receives approximately
759mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 83%
and air temperatures averaging around
7°C.
Watertown 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
Upper Mississippi-Crow-Rum
Area Rivers
Upper Mississippi-Crow-Rum
Snowpack Depths
Upper Mississippi-Crow-Rum
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Upper Mississippi-Crow-Rum
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 3.8
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin County Campground | 7 | 1,201 ft | |||
| Mille Lacs Kathio State Park | 70 | 1,281 ft | |||
| Ann Lake - Sand Dunes State Forest | 30 | 990 ft | |||
| Onegume | 46 | 1,338 ft | |||
| Daly County Park | 86 | 1,037 ft | |||
| Crosby Memorial Park | None | 1,243 ft | |||
| Winnie Dam | None | 1,334 ft | |||
| Washburn Lake - Land OLakes State Forest | 30 | 1,347 ft | |||
| Plug Hat Point | None | 1,368 ft | |||
| Cuyuna Country State Park - Portsmouth Campground | 25 | 1,238 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): 4.4
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.