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