Floodplains
The Cache la Poudre River is the primary regulatory floodplain within the City of Greeley. However, multiple other regulatory floodplains exist within incorporated Greeley, including the South Platte, Sheep Draw, Coal Bank Creek, Ashcroft Draw, John Law Ditch, and Sand Creek.
Effective Regulatory Floodplains
IThe city regulates floodplains depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). These FIRMs depict the expected extent of flooding as a result of the 1% Annual Chance Flood (formerly referred to as the 100-year flood). The City of Greeley is a member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Meeting National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements in the floodplain is the most cost-effective way to reduce the flood risk to buildings and infrastructure.
Floodplain Insurance for Property Owners
Greeley’s NFIP membership allows property owners to purchase flood insurance from the NFIP and makes our community eligible for federal disaster assistance and federal grants for flood hazard mitigation. This also means any development within regulatory floodplains in Greeley are subject to FEMA regulations (44 CFR § 60.3) and Greeley Municipal Code (Title 24, Chapter 10, Sec 24.1001).
Floodplain Development Permits are required for construction in any Special Flood Hazard Area and Floodplain Development Permit applications are accepted through the eTrakit permitting system.
Cache la Poudre RiskMap
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) re-mapped the Cache la Poudre River and South Platte floodplains, the new maps became effective in 2023.
Any development taking place within the city must utilize the 2023 maps. Please direct any questions to the Floodplain Administrator.
Check Floodplain Location
Use this tool to look up properties and see where they are in the floodplain.
Floodplain Frequently Asked Questions
Enter address or coordinates in FEMA’s tool: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home or enter address in Greeley’s lookup tool: http://gis3.greeleygov.com/FloodPlain/index.html
Utilize FEMA or Greeley’s lookup tool. Greeley’s lookup tool will produce the flood zone by address and produce a map.
You have several options. You may hire a surveyor to establish that your property and/or structure is above the Base Flood Elevation. An application for a Letter of Map Amendment may be sent to FEMA, at which point your property would be removed from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
Preliminary maps are not regulatory. However, it is worth considering preliminary maps and Base Flood Elevations when starting on a project on your property, as any repairs, revisions, expansions or replacements on the property would be regulated to the new maps. If a new map becomes effective, you will be notified in advance. It is highly recommended to contact your floodplain administrator.
Many flood insurance related questions may be answered by visiting FloodSmart.gov. You may use the tools under the Insurance Center to determine policy coverage, estimate rates and find an agent in your area. The CWCB has an extensive Flood Insurance FAQ.
Historically, flood insurance premiums have been predominantly based on what Special Flood Hazard Area a structure is in, and what the elevations are of the lowest floor, lowest opening and/or lowest adjacent grade is to the structure.
With Risk Rating 2.0, additional variables are included. With FEMA’s new methodology, premiums will be based on the building’s horizontal distance to the flooding source, ground elevation, foundation type, existence of flood openings, type/use of building, number of floors, and elevation of machinery within the building.
Application to FEMA for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) may be requested, including a LOMA, LOMR or LOMR-F.
Floodmart.gov utilizes the physical address and not the insurable structure. Lenders evaluate the structure itself in comparison to the Special Flood Hazard Area.
The City Floodplain Administrator may have an Elevation Certificate on file for your property. It may also be in possession of your property’s developer and/or previous owners. Elevation Certificates must be prepared and certified by a Licensed Land Surveyor.
The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) involves text, graphics and tables and applicable engineering studies that led to the production of the Flood Insurance Rate Map. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) also offers the FIRM and FIS reports for download. All National Flood Insurance Program maps and products, including FIRMs and FIS reports, are at no cost.
Greeley is a participant in the NFIP. This means that properties in the floodplain within Greeley qualify for flood insurance discounts. This also means any development within regulatory floodplains in Greeley are subject to FEMA regulations (44 CFR § 60.3) and Greeley Municipal Code (Title 24, Chapter 10, Sec 24.1001)
Email Greeley’s Floodplain Administrator: floodplain@greeleygov.com
Colorado Water Conservation Board: 303-866-3441
Call (1-877) FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) Monday through Friday, 8:00 am through 6:30 pm Eastern Time (ET) Email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.co