The City of Greeley announced the launch of the Poudre River Restoration Initiative (PRRI), a project to make the Poudre River healthier while boosting the economy and giving people better access to the river. Residents are invited to take a short survey and share their ideas about how they would like to enjoy the river.
Project Background
Since the 1950s, the length of the Poudre River in Greeley has decreased by about two miles. This has caused problems like:
- Faster water flow
- Flooding
- Riverbank erosion
- Fewer fish and wildlife
- Loss of wetlands
- Increased sediment in the water
Because of these issues, the river has become unstable and harder for people to use.
Project Goals
The PRRI’s goal is to fix these issues while turning the river into a key part of the Greeley community. The project aims to:
- Improve water quality
- Increase the number of plants and animals
- Protect buildings and infrastructure from flooding
- Preserve the river’s history
- Help grow Greeley’s economy
The city is working with two expert companies—Inter-Fluve, an aquatic engineering firm, and MVVA, a landscape architecture firm—to study the Poudre River and create a master plan. The project is led by Greeley’s Public Works department and includes teams like Water and Sewer, Natural Areas and Trails, as well as groups like Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed and Weld County. This teamwork provides a full view of what’s needed to help the Poudre River in Greeley.
“We are committed to improving the Poudre River, not only for its environmental importance but also for its potential to enhance the quality of life for our residents and drive economic growth,” says City Manager Raymond Lee.
To learn more about this project and share your feedback, visit speakupgreeley.com/poudre-river-restoration.