Integrated Water Resources Plan
Securing Greeley's Water Future
Greeley’s Integrated Water Resource Master Plan (IWRP) provides actionable and adaptive strategies to ensure a resilient and reliable water supply for our community through an uncertain future.
Water System Overview
Navigating System Risks
Planning for an Uncertain Future
Water Secure Strategies
Adaptive Management
Greeley Water System Overview
Greeley’s raw water supply system is robust and resilient.
Water supplies for our community originate in four river basins on both sides of the Continental Divide. This water is conveyed by river and pipeline, treated at one of two treatment plants, and delivered to our customers.
Once online, the Terry Ranch Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project will add a groundwater supply to the City's water portfolio and provide added resilience against drought and supply variability.
Terry Ranch Project
Terry Ranch consists of 1,200,000 acre-feet of decreed non-tributary groundwater.
- The Terry Ranch project will allow for injection and aquifer storage during times of excess supply. Stored groundwater will be withdrawn during times of drought to satisfy demands.
- Before purchase, a feasibility study was conducted to confirm the safety, reliability, and affordability of the Terry Ranch project. To learn more about the inspection process click HERE
- Until the project is needed, Greeley is investing in additional planning and infrastructure projects to set the foundation for Terry Ranch utilization
When available, treated surface water is injected into the aquifer. During droughts, water is extracted from the aquifer, treated, and delivered to Greeley. Aquifer levels will vary depending on drought conditions; the goal is to keep sufficient water in the aquifer long-term
Navigating System Risks
Greeley's Integrated Water Resources Master Plan (IWRP) is a strategic plan that uses industry best-practices to integrate water supply system planning, from snowmelt to customer taps.
This approach enhances traditional master planning by evaluating how uncertain future conditions could impact Greeley's water supply system.
As part of the IWRP, over 50 water supply risks were analyzed - with the most important being Climate Warming (including increased frequency and severity of wildfire), Colorado River Basin Impacts, Water Rights Challenges, and Demand Growth Uncertainty.