The landowners objective is to restore fish habitat in Hancock Creek. Hancock Creek is one mile long and is spring fed. In general it has excellent water quality for juvenile chinook and steelhead, as well as spawning for adult steelhead. Off channel rearing areas that do not freeze are important in this area of the Methow River. The native tree and shrub plantings will serve to re-establish the riparian plant community for future LWD and shade to minimize solar heating of the water. Water temperature from the springs in August was 48 degrees and at the mouth 58 degrees F. Three rocked livestock watering points will maintain the integrity of the stream banks to prevent erosion. The surface water right will be converted to a ground water right and a well will be drilled which will eliminate the need for ponding of the water above the Wolf Creek road created by the undersized culverts. These undersized culverts create a velocity barrier to fish. Funding to replace the undersized culverts under Wolf Creek road, a county road, has been applied for from USF&W.
