Founded by President Teddy Roosevelt on February 25, 1909 the Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge encompasses 
nearly 11,000 acres which includes nearly 9,000 acres of Lake Lowell reservoir which is the lifeblood of the Canyon County farmers that rely on irrigation water provided by the reservoir.
There are over 200 recorded species of birds recorded at the refuge plus deer, fox, coyote, beaver and hundreds of other species of animals are a common site.
wildlife management techniques are used to farm 240 acres adjacent to the refuge which provides food for the natural wildlife of the area.
Lake Lowell offers a getaway for fishermen and boaters. The lake is closed to boating October 1 through April 14 but visitors enjoy the beauty offered by the lake and the refuge year around. Fisherman fish for small mouth bass, crappie, catfish, and occasionally trout. It is quite common to see sailboats dot the lake in the summer.
Lake Lowell stretches from the south end of Caldwell to Nampa on the west. Boat ramps are well located from the lower dam in Caldwell to the upper dam in Nampa.
Deer Flat is one of the oldest Wildlife Refuge systems in the National Wildlife Refuge System and attracts visitors from all around the country from sporting enthusiasts to wildlife lovers.
Dozens of beautiful residential developments border the refuge on all sides. Many of the home sites sit on high peaks and have spectacular views of the lake and refuge. On the south and north side of Lake Lowell there are several areas where spectators can stop, park their vehicles, and walk along special paths around the refuge.
Aside from the boaters and the wildlife enthusiasts there is something for everyone at the the refuge. Both on the Caldwell side and on the Nampa side there are parks that offer great facilities for those that are not boaters, fishermen or birdwatchers. These parks are beautiful and well maintained for those that just want to pack a picnic and enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon in a beautiful and peaceful surrounding.
The Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is much more than an irrigation reservoir and wildlife refuge. It is a landmark of Canyon County and the residents are very proud of it.
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