News Release Archive

Restored Pond at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Helps Idaho Wildlife

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Jim Budolfson, jbudolfson@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: July 25, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation, in cooperation with Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recently restored a 5-acre wildlife pond at the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge near Nampa, Idaho.

The pond, located east of Gotts Point along the patrol road, was created by diverting seepage water. Previously, the seepage water was discharged directly back into Lake Lowell from a gravel pit operated by Rambo Sand and Gravel Inc. The discharged seepage water is partially diverted into the pond by way of a valve and 1,400 feet of pipeline before flowing back to the lake.

"Hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities will be enhanced by this pond," said Jim Budolfson, Reclamation's Resource Manager.

The Fish and Wildlife Service will maintain the pond, which will have a continuous fresh flow of water to enhance habitat for a variety of both game and non-game wildlife species. The Owyhee Irrigation District contributed to the pond project by donating a 10-inch gate valve that is now used to regulate the flow between the pipeline and the pond.

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