Debby Sargeant, WaDOE
As streams go, Deep Creek is a small creek. It originates in the uplands of the Deep Creek watershed, flowing downstream through second and third growth forest then through rural pastures to join Bunker Creek, which flows into the Chehalis River near the town of Adna in Lewis County. Many years ago coho salmon made the long trip up the Chehalis River to spawn in Deep Creek.
In recent years changes in water quality and quantity have contributed to a decline in the number of coho that spawn in the creek.
In 1995 the Department of Ecology began studying the water quality in Deep Creek. Ecology's water quality monitoring showed that the creek had summertime problems with high bacteria and nutrients, low dissolved oxygen and high temperatures. High nutrients in the water can mean increased plant growth, and the decaying plants can consume oxygen that fish need. High bacteria levels in the water may be harmful to people who swim or play in the creek. 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. Sediment can smother salmon nests or "redds" so the young salmon can't breathe.
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. Over the two-year period, 13,000 feet of fencing was installed along the creek. 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. Winter monitoring is more difficult, because winter storms increase the flow in the creek 60-100 times that of summer flows, making the water muddy and fast. No matter what the season, local residents and their pets are interested in monitoring activities. While monitoring this fall Ecology staff were assisted by a dog, two cats, and a welcome sight: two spawning coho salmon.
While it often takes several years for best management practices like fencing and riparian revegetation to become fully effective, Deep Creek has already shown signs of improvements in water quality. Summer time bacteria and ammonia levels are lower. This is good news for residents who enjoy cooling off in the creek in the summer. Downstream in Bunker Creek dissolved oxygen levels have started to increase, making the creek a more hospitable habitat for fish. 
Future monitoring may show even better water quality. Thanks to landowners' efforts, these improvements are protecting the health of local residents, helping restore salmon, and contributing to a better environment in the Chehalis basin. Deep Creek amonia levels have dropped since fencing was installed.Fencing keeps animals out of the creek and crossings still allow animals limited access to water.
This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
Send comments or questions to the: Chehalis River Council