Deer Flat Upper dam
Deer Flat Upper
Deer Flat Upper is a crucial water resource in Idaho, owned and regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Completed in 1907, this earth dam stands at a height of 74 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 159,365 acre-feet for irrigation purposes. Situated on the Boise River, this structure plays a vital role in providing water for agricultural activities in Canyon County.
With a hazard potential classified as high, Deer Flat Upper has undergone structural modifications in 1994 and 2009 to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's spillway, with a width of 950 feet, helps manage excess water flow during periods of high discharge. Despite its age, Deer Flat Upper continues to be maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation, with regular inspections ensuring its structural integrity and compliance with regulatory standards.
Water and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and engineering marvel of Deer Flat Upper, situated in the picturesque city of Caldwell, Idaho. This structure not only serves as a vital component of the region's irrigation system but also showcases the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Deer Flat Upper -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Boise River At Caldwell | 1,460 cfs | → |
| Mason Creek Nr Caldwell Id | 46 cfs | → |
| Mason Creek At Caldwell Id | 145 cfs | → |
| Fifteenmile Creek Nr Midland Blvd Nr Middleton | 76 cfs | → |
| W Hartley Gulch Nr Caldwell Id | 34 cfs | → |
| South Middleton Drain At Middleton Id | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Flat Upper.
Boat launches
- Upper Embankment Road Canyon County
- Look Lane 21723, Canyon County
- Marsing Murphy Road 12985, Owyhee County
- Celebration Park
- Big Bend Launch Site
Campgrounds
- Celebration County Park
- Parma City Park - Old Fort Boise
- Gowen Field Military
- Swan Falls Campground
- Succor Creek State Natural Area
- Swan Falls - Idaho Power
Track Deer Flat Upper in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Deer Flat Upper
Where does the data for Deer Flat Upper come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Deer Flat Upper.