Snyder Creek is one of the few perennial tributaries in the lowest 40 miles of the Klickitat River. The stream is habitat for resident fish, including ESA listed Mid-Columbia Steelhead. Snyder Creek was heavily impacted by construction of a sawmill in the early 1900s. The lower 3,000 feet of the stream is largely contained within a concrete flume. Above the flume, the stream was straightened, channelized and pushed to one side of the valley. The mill pond dam was removed in 2004 and the old pond area was planted with native trees.

Mid-Columbia Fisheries and Yakama Nation are currently working with the landowners to plan for fish habitat improvements on the lower portions of Snyder Creek through the former mill site and upstream through the old log sorting yard. Conceptual planning for restoration is being supported by a grant from Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB). The former mill site has stood vacant and fenced off from use since 1999. The community and landowners are interested in rehabilitation and development of the site. The grant provides an opportunity to plan for stream restoration at the same time that the landowners explore options for the future of the site.