Poudre River Restoration Initiative
The Poudre River Restoration Initiative (PRRI) reimagines the Cache la Poudre River corridor as a resilient, accessible, and ecologically rich public landscape. Situated on the northern edge of Greeley, Colorado, this transformative multi-phase project reestablishes the river’s natural function, reducing flood and geomorphic risk while expanding opportunities for public access, education, and recreation. MVVA's Master Plan encompasses the section of the Cache La Poudre River within the extents of Greeley’s Long Range Expected Growth Area, which is a 13-mile long riparian corridor that contains 23 miles of the Poudre River. The floodplain along this corridor spans over a total of 5,000 acres.
Aerial photograph, 1948
On the Cache La Poudre River, W. Whittredge, 1876
Once a braided, meandering system supporting diverse habitats and deep cultural roots, the Poudre River has been heavily impacted by urban development, channelization, mining, and diversion for off-channel use.
River corridor and hydro-morphology study
From 1950 to 2019, the length of the Poudre River within Greeley city limits decreased by 15% (about two miles). This change has impacted water velocity and sediment flow, caused downstream flooding, led to severe bank erosion, a loss of aquatic life, and a reduction in important riparian habitats like wetlands.
Urban growth has expanded away from the River
Current Land Use
As the project advances toward implementation, the team continues to integrate technical data, community values, and landscape performance metrics into a design approach that is both adaptive and ambitious. The result will be a revitalized River that brings people back to the water, restores natural function, and reconnects a growing city back to its most compelling natural resource, the Cache La Poudre River.
Gravel Pond
Working alongside the City of Greeley, MVVA is working to restore ecological processes, support habitat connectivity, and prepare the corridor for future flood resilience and climatic uncertainty.
Neighborhood park
Destination playground
Stormwater park with recreation fields
