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Yakima
Eden Index
Climate
8.6
•
Recreation
6.2
•
Community
1.9
•
Safeguard
6.1/10
Yakima, Washington is a vibrant city located in the central part of the state. Situated in the Yakima Valley, the city experiences a semi-arid climate with hot and dry summers and relatively mild winters. Summers in Yakima can be scorching with average temperatures reaching the upper 80s°F to low 90s°F, while winters are cooler with temperatures dipping into the mid-30s°F. The region receives limited rainfall, typically less than 10 inches annually, making irrigation crucial for agriculture.
Hydrologically, the Yakima River is of great significance to the area. It flows through the city, supplying water to the surrounding agricultural lands and offering opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and rafting. The river is also an oasis for birdwatching, with numerous species of waterfowl inhabiting its banks.
Yakima boasts a multitude of outdoor recreation opportunities. Just outside the city, the Yakima River Canyon provides scenic hiking and biking trails, rock climbing spots, and camping areas. The nearby Cascade Mountains offer skiing and snowboarding in the winter, as well as hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in the summer. With its diverse geography and natural beauty, Yakima is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
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): 8.6
Yakima receives approximately
226mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 72%
and air temperatures averaging around
11°C.
Yakima 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
Yakima
Area Rivers
Yakima
Snowpack Depths
Yakima
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Yakima
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 6.2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umtanum - Yakima River Canyon | None | 1,386 ft | |||
| Big Pines - Yakima River Canyon | None | 1,258 ft | |||
| Lmuma Creek - Yakima River Canyon | None | 1,274 ft | |||
| Roza - Yakima River Canyon | None | 1,248 ft | |||
| Fiorito Ponds - WDFW | None | 1,435 ft | |||
| Yakima Sportsman State Park | None | 1,005 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): 1.9
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.