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Sioux-Falls
Eden Index
Climate
6.5
•
Recreation
3.2
•
Community
2.7
•
Safeguard
4.4/10
Sioux Falls, located in South Dakota, is the largest city in the state and offers a diverse range of attractions and opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The city experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by hot summers and cold winters. Summers are usually pleasant with temperatures averaging around 80°F (26°C), while winters can be harsh with temperatures dropping below freezing and annual snowfall averaging around 45 inches.
The city is situated on the Big Sioux River, which provides a vital source of water and contributes to the hydrology constituents of the region. The river offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing, with several parks and green spaces along its banks where visitors can enjoy picnicking and birdwatching.
For outdoor recreation, Sioux Falls boasts an extensive park system, including Falls Park, which features a stunning waterfall cascading over pink quartzite rocks. The city also offers bike trails, golf courses, and numerous parks with playgrounds and sports facilities. Nearby, nature lovers can explore Great Bear Recreation Park, known for its ski slopes and hiking trails. Overall, Sioux Falls presents a rich natural landscape and outdoor activities for residents and visitors to enjoy.
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
Sioux-Falls receives approximately
662mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 82%
and air temperatures averaging around
8°C.
Sioux-Falls 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
Big Sioux
Area Rivers
Big Sioux
Snowpack Depths
Big Sioux
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Big Sioux
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 3.2
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.
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): 2.7
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.