Deer Flat Upper Embankment facts for kids
The Deer Flat Upper Embankment is a large dam in Canyon County, Idaho, near the town of Nampa. This important structure helps manage water for the area and creates a big lake called Lake Lowell. It's part of a system that provides water for farms and also protects a special place for wildlife.
Contents
Building the Dam
The Deer Flat Upper Embankment is an "earthen" dam, meaning it's built from compacted earth and rock. It was finished in 1908 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This government agency helps manage water resources across the country. The dam stands 74 feet (about 22.5 meters) tall and stretches 4,165 feet (over 1,200 meters) long across its top.
How the Dam Works
The Upper Embankment is the largest of four dams in this area. These dams work together to store water from the Boise River in a special way called "offstream storage." This means the water is diverted from the river and held in a separate reservoir, not directly in the river channel. This stored water is then used when needed, especially for farming.
The other dams that help create Lake Lowell are:
- The Deer Flat Middle Dike, finished in 1911. It's 18 feet tall and 1,262 feet long.
- The Deer Flat Lower Dike, finished in 1908. It's 48 feet tall and 7,270 feet long.
- The Deer Flat East Dike, finished in 1911. It's 18 feet tall and 3,806 feet long.
Lake Lowell: A Big Reservoir
The huge lake created by these dams is called Lake Lowell. It usually covers about 16 square miles (about 41 square kilometers). This lake can hold a massive amount of water, up to 169,000 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. That's a lot of water!
A Home for Wildlife
The project to build these dams and create Lake Lowell was one of the first big projects by the Bureau of Reclamation, which started in 1902. President Theodore Roosevelt recognized the importance of this area for nature. On February 25, 1909, he created a national bird refuge at Deer Flat Reservoir, which is now Lake Lowell. This refuge was one of 17 places created to provide safe homes for birds that travel long distances. The idea to include this area in Idaho came from James H. Lowell, who was a local water expert.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
Today, the area around Lake Lowell is known as the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. It's a "globally important" place for migratory birds and other animals. The refuge has different types of natural areas, including:
- Open water (Lake Lowell itself)
- Wetlands (swampy areas)
- Grasslands (open grassy fields)
- Riparian areas (along riverbanks)
- Forest habitats
The biggest part of the refuge is Lake Lowell and the land around it. There's also another part of the refuge that includes islands in the Snake River. These islands are located in different counties in Idaho and Oregon.
Visitors can learn more about the refuge at the visitors' center on the north shore of Lake Lowell. This center is a busy spot for people who want to explore the refuge and for volunteers who help with wildlife conservation projects.
