The City of Greeley and Reynolds Construction recently completed phase one of the Terry Ranch pipeline project when it laid the final sections of the initial 7.7 miles of pipeline into place near Windsor.
Project staff celebrated the milestone by signing a section of the pipeline before lowering it into the ground and welding it into place.
The Terry Ranch Aquifer, an underground pocket of water, contains nearly two million acre-feet of drought-resilient groundwater. The city plans to recharge and store water in the aquifer during wet years and withdraw and treat it for use during extended droughts.
The 30-mile pipeline is being built in phases to keep Greeley’s water rates low. Once completed, it will connect Greeley’s existing treated water infrastructure to the Terry Ranch water treatment plant and underground aquifer.
Director of Water and Sewer Sean Chambers is confident in the project’s development strategy and excited about its contribution to Greeley’s water portfolio.
“The Terry Ranch project is an investment in our collective resiliency,” Chambers says. “While storing excess treated river water underground and then withdrawing it in times of drought is new to Northern Colorado, it is common practice across the West. This pipeline is a step toward adding groundwater storage at Terry Ranch and expanding water supply reliability.”
Learn more about the Terry Ranch Project at greeleygov.com/services/ws/trp/greeley’s-water-future.
A Reynolds Construction crew member observes dirt being dropped on a section of pipeline to complete phase one of the Terry Ranch Project. Photo courtesy of Reynolds Construction.