Reclaiming the Poudre
The Cache la Poudre River is a vital natural and cultural resource for Greeley, but decades of development, overallocation of water, and a shrinking floodplain have reduced public access, degraded ecological function, and increased the risks of flooding. From 1950 to 2019, the river’s length within city limits decreased by 15% (about two miles), and its corridor has decreased by up to 95% in some areas. This has lead to faster flows, altered sediment transport, severe bank erosion, and a significant loss of aquatic life and riparian habitat.
How We Propose to Address It
The Cache la Poudre River is a vital natural and cultural resource for Greeley, but decades of development, overallocation of water, and a shrinking floodplain have reduced public access, degraded ecological function, and increased the risks of flooding. From 1950 to 2019, the river’s length within city limits decreased by 15% (about two miles), and its corridor has decreased by up to 95% in some areas. This has lead to faster flows, altered sediment transport, severe bank erosion, and a significant loss of aquatic life and riparian habitat. R