News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Assessment for Deer Flat Dam Repairs

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, 07/25/2006 16:34
Steve Dunn, sdunn@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: July 25, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment for its proposal to make safety of dam repairs to the Upper Embankment of Deer Flat Dam. Deer Flat Dam forms Lake Lowell located 2 miles west of Nampa, Idaho, within the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge.

The proposed dam repairs would consist of completely rebuilding the Caldwell Canal outlet, which passes through the embankment, and providing filter material around the Nampa Canal outlet. In order to conduct the work, Lake Lowell would be drafted to lower than average levels during the fall and winter of 2007-2008, but within the normal range of operation. The lake would be expected to refill normally the following spring depending on water supply.

Access to the refuge headquarters, and west end boat ramp across the Upper Embankment, would be cut off during construction. Reclamation, in cooperation with the refuge, would construct a new permanent access road to the refuge headquarters and the boat ramp. Temporary road closures will also be in place near the Nampa Canal during a portion of the construction period.

The National Environmental Policy Act requires Reclamation to evaluate the impacts of this proposed action on the environment. The Draft Environmental Assessment analyzes the effects of the proposed construction and the No Action alternative required by NEPA, which assumes that dam safety modifications would not occur.

Deer Flat Dam was constructed by Reclamation from 1906 to 1911. Water is carried to Lake Lowell via the 40-mile long New York Canal. From Lake Lowell, irrigation water is delivered from four canal outlets to serve farmland downstream. Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1909 surrounds Lake Lowell and is Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

To obtain a copy of the Draft Environmental Assessment contact Steve Dunn at (208) 383-2222 or by email at sdunn@pn.usbr.gov. The document is also available online at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/deerflat/index.html.

Comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment will be accepted until August 20. Written comments should be sent to Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, 230 Collins Road, Boise ID 83702.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/ea/idaho/deerflat/index.html