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Zigzag
Eden Index
Climate
6.5
•
Recreation
4.8
•
Community
2.3
•
Safeguard
4.9/10
Zigzag, Oregon is a small unincorporated community located in Clackamas County, nestled in the scenic Mount Hood National Forest. The area experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Summers are generally mild and dry, with average temperatures ranging from 70°F to 80°F, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures dropping below freezing, offering great opportunities for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
Zigzag is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, with the Zigzag River flowing through the area. The hydrology constituents consist of clear mountain streams and pristine waterfalls, making it a popular destination for fishing, hiking, and camping. The Zigzag Ranger District manages a network of trails through the national forest, providing ample opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Zigzag offers various recreational opportunities, including the popular Timberline Lodge Ski Area, where visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. In the summer months, the area offers fantastic hiking trails such as the iconic Pacific Crest Trail, which passes through the region, providing stunning views of Mount Hood and the surrounding wilderness.
Overall, Zigzag, Oregon is a nature lover's paradise, offering a diverse climate, beautiful hydrology constituents, and a multitude of outdoor activities throughout the year.
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
Zigzag receives approximately
2199mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 68%
and air temperatures averaging around
9°C.
Zigzag has a plant hardyness factor of
7, meaning
plants and agriculture in this region tend to thrive during the non-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
Lower Columbia
Area Rivers
Lower Columbia
Snowpack Depths
Lower Columbia
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Lower Columbia
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 4.8
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clackamas Lake | 46 | 3,350 ft | |||
| Wyeth - Columbia River Gorge Area | 13 | 159 ft | |||
| Beacon Rock State Park | None | 245 ft | |||
| Green Canyon | 23 | 1,629 ft | |||
| Tollgate | 26 | 1,752 ft | |||
| Ainsworth State Park | None | 73 ft | |||
| Port Authority - Cascade Locks Marine Park | 15 | 104 ft | |||
| Wahtum Lake | 8 | 3,953 ft | |||
| Home Valley Campground | None | 110 ft | |||
| Joe Graham Horse Camp | 13 | 3,382 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): 2.3
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.