Terry Ranch
The Terry Ranch Project is a massive underground water source stored in deep aquifers that serve as underground reservoirs. This water will provide drought-proof, cost-effective supplies and additional storage as our population grows. Watch this video to learn more about Greeley’s new frontier in water
Terry Ranch Project Overview
Greeley is thriving today due to the foresight and diligence of past city leaders to secure water supplies to support our community. Projections show Greeley’s population will grow to over 260,000 residents by 2065. We’re acting now to ensure we have enough water to meet these future needs.
In 2021, following extensive analysis of many alternatives, Greeley leadership approved our next critical source of water supply -- the Terry Ranch (Aquifer Storage and Recovery) Project. The Terry Ranch Project is a massive underground water source stored in deep aquifers that serve as underground reservoirs. This water will provide drought-proof, cost-effective supplies and additional storage as our population grows. Watch this video to learn more about Greeley’s new frontier in water:
Background and Timeline
Why Terry Ranch?
The City of Greeley has a responsible, innovative water resource planning history. Water providers today, particularly in the western U.S., must be even more strategic and creative to have enough water for population growth, climate variability, shrinking rivers, and competing interests.
It is our personal and professional duty to protect Greeley’s water supply and the safety and welfare of the public. On behalf of our staff and our Board I want to assure the Council and our citizens that the Terry Ranch project is not going to harm our water supply as some have claimed.
-Harold Evans, chairman, Greeley Water and Sewer Board
Background
Here's why the Terry Ranch project was selected as the most reliable and affordable long-term solution for our community:
- Beginning in 2003, the city sought to enlarge the existing Milton Seaman Reservoir. Enlarging this reservoir on the North Fork of the Cache La Poudre River required a variety of federal, state, and county permits including a lengthy Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process.
- Federal agencies required Greeley to evaluate other, less environmentally damaging alternatives. The city identified several options with lower environmental impacts, including Terry Ranch. It became evident that regulatory agencies were not likely to approve the enlargement of Milton Seaman Reservoir.
- The city hired independent experts to conduct an extensive investigation of the Terry Ranch property to meet due diligence objectives and provide Greeley with the information needed to move ahead with the Terry Ranch Project.
Key Facts and Benefits
- Maintains affordable water rates
- Deep aquifer unconnected to rivers or lakes
- Scalable and flexible
- Makes use of existing infrastructure
- Excellent water quality
- Drought-proof groundwater supply
- Low-level uranium present but will be removed
- Minimal environmental impact and permitting
How It Works
Once in service, the Terry Ranch Project will allow Greeley to access up to 1.2 million acre-feet of water from 200- to 1,200-feet-deep underground aquifers in northwest Weld County. That’s over 7.5 times more water than is stored in Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins. For comparison, Greeley currently uses about 25,000 acre-feet of water annually.
The water from Terry Ranch helps protect Greeley from severe droughts in the future when surface water is scarce. Unlike Greeley’s above-ground reservoirs, the underground aquifer water is protected from evaporation, drought, and forest fires. Many other water providers in Colorado use groundwater for drinking water supplies. Greeley currently has ample water supplies, but Terry Ranch water ensures the city has additional water if needed.
Greeley can store unused, treated water in the aquifer during wet years when supplies are abundant. The city can then use the water later during dry years when supplies are low. “Injecting” water for underground storage is a common practice, and it will be done with permits and oversight by state regulators. Only treated water can be stored underground, so the city will use advanced treatment and water quality testing to ensure the water meets stringent water quality requirements.
Terry Ranch: The Most Affordable Solution
The Terry Ranch Project is estimated to cost $318 million (in 2023 dollars) to meet Greeley's demands over the next 50 years. The city is using an innovative, low-risk purchase agreement to acquire this water and storage from Wingfoot Water Resources, which benefits Greeley and our customers by:
- Reducing the funding needed upfront
- Sharing financial risks with the seller (Wingfoot)
- Keeping water rates lower
- Securing a long-term water supply
As part of this mutually beneficial arrangement, Wingfoot will pay the City of Greeley $125 million toward project costs and transfer all Terry Ranch water and assets to the city. This arrangement reduces Greeley's project costs to $193 million (if paid in full today).
In exchange, the city is issuing water supply credits to Wingfoot, each worth one acre-foot of water. Developers and builders must bring either water supply or cash to fund the purchase of additional water before getting approval for new construction in the city. The Wingfoot water supply credits are only redeemable within the City of Greeley.
Contact Derek Hannon to Purchase Credits
Derek Hannon
970-336-4120
derek.hannon@greeleygov.com
While the Terry Ranch facility's operating costs exceed Greeley's other treatment plants, the city will only use it during drought or other supply constraints.
Terry Ranch Will Keep Rates Lower
Water rates fund the cost of new water infrastructure and supplies. While Greeley works to minimize rate increases, higher construction and operation costs make this a constant challenge. The Terry Ranch project is the most affordable solution for Greeley and will help keep rates lower than other alternatives.
Terry Ranch Water Will Be Safe
Our certified water professionals conduct rigorous testing and analysis when a new water source is acquired. We identify the best treatment process to ensure safe drinking water for our community. Before purchasing the Terry Ranch aquifer water, Greeley researched to ensure the water met the city's high-quality standards. City engineers and independent experts collected over 7,000 water quality data points and analyzed the water for more than 575 contaminants. The studies proved the water is safe. For more information on these studies, reports, and independent resources, please contact Greeley’s Water Quality Program at 970-336-4097.
Treatment Removes Contaminants
Uranium is a naturally occurring element commonly found in small quantities in plants, rocks, soil, water, and animals. While the Terry Ranch aquifer water contains low levels of uranium, we can remove this element easily during the treatment process. Greeley already removes uranium and contaminants from other water sources every day.
We will treat Terry Ranch water using an ion exchange process that works like a water softener. The city performed a 30-day pilot test using ion exchange treatment processes, proving this method can effectively remove uranium to non-detectable levels.