Deer Flat Lower dam
Deer Flat Lower
Deer Flat Lower, also known as Lake Lowell Lower Dam, is a Federal-owned structure located in Canyon, Idaho. Completed in 1907, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the area. With a dam height of 50 feet and a storage capacity of 173,200 acre-feet, it helps regulate water flow from the Boise River and Snake River, covering a surface area of 9,800 acres and serving a drainage area of 75 square miles.
The dam is primarily made of earth and stone materials, with a rock and soil foundation. It features an outlet gate system for water release, and although it has no spillway, its hazard potential is considered high due to its age and condition. The dam is inspected every two years, with the latest assessment in 2019 rating its condition as fair. Despite the risks associated with its high hazard potential, Deer Flat Lower plays a vital role in water storage and management for the region, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Managed by the Walla Walla District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Deer Flat Lower serves as a key infrastructure for flood control, irrigation, and water supply in the region. Its location in Wilder, Idaho, and proximity to the Boise and Snake Rivers make it a critical component of the local ecosystem and economy. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Deer Flat Lower is essential for advocating for sustainable water management practices and climate resilience strategies in the face of changing environmental 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 Lower -- 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 | → |
| W Hartley Gulch Nr Caldwell Id | 34 cfs | → |
| Fifteenmile Creek Nr Midland Blvd Nr Middleton | 76 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 Lower.
Boat launches
- Upper Embankment Road Canyon County
- Look Lane 21723, Canyon County
- Marsing Murphy Road 12985, Owyhee County
- Big Bend Launch Site
- Celebration Park
Track Deer Flat Lower 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 Lower
Where does the data for Deer Flat Lower 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 Lower.