Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
The Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is an important breeding area for mammals, birds, and other animals. The National Wildlife Refuge is located on land surrounding Lake Lowell, just outside Nampa, Idaho. It serves as a resting and wintering area for birds, including mallards and Canada geese, along the Pacific Flyway and was named a "Globally Important Bird Area" by the American Bird Conservancy.
| Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
The Lower Dam Recreation Area in summer | |
| Location | Southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon, United States |
| Nearest city | Nampa, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°33′N 116°40′W |
| Area | 10,548 acres (16.481 sq mi; 42.69 km2) |
| Established | February 25, 1909 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Deer Flat NWR |
The refuge consists of two sections which contains open water, edge wetlands, grasslands and riparian and forest habitats. The largest portion of the refuge consists of Lake Lowell and its environs, located in Canyon County, just west of Nampa, while the second comprises the Snake River islands located in non-contiguous localities along the river in Canyon, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington counties (Idaho) and Malheur and Baker counties (Oregon).
There is a visitor center at the Lake Lowell site, which is the hub of activity for visitors and those volunteers who donate their time and services to wildlife conservation projects.