What-Cheer

Climate Recreation Community Catastrophe

What-Cheer
Eden Index

Climate 7.8 Recreation 4.0 Community 2.5 Safeguard

5.1/10

What Cheer, Iowa is a small city located in Keokuk County, in the southeastern part of the state. The climate in What Cheer can be described as warm and temperate. Summers are typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-90s Fahrenheit. Winters are cold, with temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to the mid-30s Fahrenheit. Precipitation is spread fairly evenly throughout the year, with an average of around 35 inches of rainfall annually.

In terms of hydrology, What Cheer is primarily located within the Skunk River Watershed. This watershed provides a vital source of water for the city and supports various aquatic habitats. The Skunk River offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-based recreational activities.

As for outdoor recreation, What Cheer boasts several parks and green spaces, including the What Cheer City Park and the What Cheer Opera House Park. These parks offer amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails. Additionally, the nearby Lake Keomah State Park provides opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, and swimming. The park features a scenic lake surrounded by woodlands, offering visitors a chance to enjoy nature and outdoor 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): 7.8


What-Cheer receives approximately 920mm of rain per year, with humidity levels near 83% and air temperatures averaging around 10°C. What-Cheer has a plant hardyness factor of 5, 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-Skunk-Wapsipinicon

Area Rivers

Upper Mississippi-Skunk-Wapsipinicon



Snowpack Depths

Upper Mississippi-Skunk-Wapsipinicon



Reservoir Storage Capacity

Upper Mississippi-Skunk-Wapsipinicon



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
Deerwood City Park None 838 ft
Woods Point - Norfolk Lake 11 548 ft
Lake Fisher 6 840 ft
Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir None 1,130 ft
North Cedar Park 40 935 ft
Gamaliel - Norfolk Lake None 648 ft
Belva - Deer Rec Area 56 828 ft
Bidwell Point - Norfolk Lake None 549 ft
Diamond Lake County Park 100 910 ft
George Wyth State Park 70 849 ft
Rippee Conserrvation Area - MDC None 793 ft
Union Mills Access None 762 ft
Clear Lake City Park None 1,164 ft
Long Branch State Park None 841 ft
Otter Creek Lake and Park 83 933 ft
Yenruogis County Park None 799 ft
Split Rock County Park 54 1,069 ft
Cranfield - Norfolk Lake None 566 ft
Roubidoux Springs None 775 ft
Big Woods Lake None 859 ft
Twin Ponds Co Park - West None 1,070 ft
Lake Keomah State Park 65 810 ft
Riverview - St. Croix State Park 211 905 ft
Nugget Lake County Park 55 1,022 ft
Thunder Woman Park 190 878 ft
Drakesville City Park 6 886 ft
Henderson - Norfolk Lake None 590 ft
Balsam Lake Pine Park - Town 15 1,144 ft
Highland Ridge 45 1,105 ft
Riverside Landing - St. Croix National Scenic River None 896 ft
McGowen Rec Area 12 857 ft
Twin Ponds Co Park - East None 1,053 ft
Panther Bay - Norfolk Lake None 639 ft
Patrick Bridge Access - MDC 12 613 ft
Lake Iowa County Park 122 892 ft
Siggelkov County Park None 945 ft
Pine Ridge 8 770 ft
Bay City 25 676 ft
Hickory Hills Park - La Porte City 80 911 ft
McFarlane Park None 804 ft
Boulder - St Croix State Forest 21 999 ft
Macon Co Park None 873 ft
Robinson Point - Norfolk Lake None 605 ft
Chacauqua River Access None 721 ft
T. F. Clark Co Park 13 891 ft
Eau Galle Lake Spring Valley None 957 ft
Quarry Cove - Norfolk Lake None 628 ft
Alcock Park 40 1,018 ft
Rush Landing - Buffalo National River None 451 ft
Cedar Bend Park 40 975 ft
Glen Hills County Park 61 1,183 ft
Lakeview - Bull Shoals Lake None 757 ft
Point Return City Park 22 716 ft
Georges Cove - Norfolk Lake None 633 ft
Garfvert - Nemadji State Forest 18 1,162 ft
Rothwell Park None 858 ft
Finger Lakes State Park None 725 ft
Turtle Lake City Park 18 1,265 ft
Anderson - Berger Park None 1,143 ft
Binder Park 17 655 ft
Hatfield City Park 10 995 ft
Jordan - Norfolk Lake None 683 ft
Black Hawk County Park None 858 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): 2.5


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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