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.