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Westby
Eden Index
Climate
6.5
•
Recreation
4.0
•
Community
2.7
•
Safeguard
4.6/10
Westby, Wisconsin is a charming small town located in Vernon County, nestled in the heart of the Driftless Region. The town experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Summers are pleasantly mild with average temperatures around 80°F, while winters are cold with temperatures often dropping below freezing, and average snowfall of around 30 inches per year.
Westby is abundant in hydrology constituents due to its proximity to the Kickapoo River, which winds through the town. The river offers excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Additionally, the surrounding hills and valleys are dotted with numerous spring-fed creeks and streams, contributing to the area's rich hydrology.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of recreational opportunities in Westby. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve, just a short drive away, offers more than 8,500 acres of public land for hiking, biking, wildlife watching, and horseback riding. The area is renowned for its scenic beauty, and visitors can explore the stunning rock outcrop formations, deep valleys, and lush forests.
Overall, Westby's pleasant climate, abundant water resources, and diverse outdoor recreation opportunities make it an ideal destination for nature lovers and those seeking an active outdoor lifestyle.
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): 6.5
Westby receives approximately
858mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 82%
and air temperatures averaging around
8°C.
Westby 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-Maquoketa-Plum
Area Rivers
Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum
Snowpack Depths
Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Upper Mississippi-Maquoketa-Plum
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 4.0
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Dixon Expo RV Center | 300 | 11 ft | |||
| Great River Road State Park | None | 150 ft | |||
| Lake Charlie Capps | None | 146 ft | |||
| South Recreation Composite | 100 | 140 ft | |||
| North Rec Composite | 15 | 97 ft | |||
| Little Sunflower River | None | 107 ft | |||
| Leroy Percy State Park | None | 108 ft | |||
| Clear Spgs Rec Area | 45 | 317 ft | |||
| Rocky Springs - Natchez Trace Pkwy | 22 | 235 ft | |||
| Grand Gulf Military Park | 42 | 238 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): 2.7
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.