Poudre River Web Guide

Welcome to the Poudre River Web Guide (formerly the Poudre River Wiki)!

The Cache la Poudre River (pronounced "cash luh POO-der") has been called the River that Set Historic Water Law in the West by the National Park Service. Known locally as "the Poudre," it is a hard-working river in northern Colorado. It (along with diversions from other basins) provides a large portion of water to communities such as Fort Collins and Greeley, as well as to agricultural lands.

With its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains, the Cache la Poudre River flows 125 miles east through the Poudre Canyon and onto the plains. These locations provide outstanding recreational opportunities, including fishing, biking, hiking, and rafting. In 1986, Congress designated 75 miles of the upper portion of the Poudre a Wild and Scenic River. A 45-mile section of the river from the mouth of Poudre Canyon to its confluence with the South Platte River was later designated a National Heritage Area.

The Cache la Poudre River Watershed is part of the South Platte River Watershed, which is part of the Platte River Watershed, which is part of the Missouri River Watershed and ultimately the Mississippi River Watershed. The larger context reminds us that we are all connected.

The Poudre River Web Guide primarily compiles links to websites about the many aspects of the Cache la Poudre River, for the purpose of education. Links are organized under only one category each, though websites could potentially fall under more than one category, so be sure to browse the various pages.

Every attempt is being made to link to all helpful websites concerning the Poudre River. No bias is intended (though we love our river!).

The guide is provided by the Water Resources Archive at the Colorado State University Libraries. To notify us about a new or corrected link, email Patty Rettig, archivist for the Water Resources Archive.