Salmon don't survive well in high temperature waters, and colder water holds more oxygen. There were also wintertime problems with sediment in the creek. In 1996 and 1997 Lewis Conservation District got together with local landowners and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to try to solve Deep Creek's water quality problems. Fencing keeps animals out of the creek and its banks. This prevents animal waste from entering the creek and helps prevent erosion by keeping the stream bank intact.
Animal waste is a source of bacteria and nutrients.
Landowners installed pasture pumps and cattle crossings so animals still had limited access to water. To help lower the temperature of the creek the Conservation District staff replanted over 8.5 acres of stream bank with vegetation. As trees and shrubs grow they shade the creek and keep the water cool. During summers and winters since 1995, Ecology staff have monitored the changes in the water quality of Deep Creek. Summer monitoring is easy because flow in the creek is reduced to a trickle.