美國南達科他州和懷俄明州的黑丘陵是一個獨特的生態區，而沙溪在此區內是一個獨特的水生生態系統。美國大自然保護協會懷俄明州的外地辦事處在考慮收購鄰近沙溪的土地，為了保護此生態系統免受土地開發和土地利用的變化。為了評估沙溪的保育價值，進行了相關文獻的回顧以及在1995年、1999年、2002年、2005年、和2007年調查了沙溪的水生植動物。對黑丘陵地區來說，沙溪獨有的特色包括曲流性的河道、中等的坡降、大的河道流來自冷水泉、豐富的水生植物、以及真亞口魚冰期孑遺的族群。保育議題包括畜牧放牧和採礦有關的水生棲息地惡化以及旱災、引水工程和地下水耗竭有關的河道流量長期的減少。由於，在黑丘陵生態區內，沙溪相鄰植被的獨特性以及溪內真亞口魚孑遺的族群，建議適當的保育措施。
The Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming is a unique ecoregion in North America, and Sand Creek is a unique aquatic ecosystem within the region. The Wyoming Field Office of The Nature Conservancy has considered acquiring land adjacent to Sand Creek to better protect the ecosystem from development and land use changes. To assess the preservation value of Sand Creek, a review of relevant literature was completed and the aquatic flora and fauna were surveyed during 1995, 1999, 2002, 2005, and 2007. Unique characteristics of Sand Creek in relation to the Black Hills region include a meandering channel of moderate gradient, large perennial discharge originating from coldwater springs, abundant aquatic macrophytes, and a glacial relict population of longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus). Preservation concerns include aquatic habitat degradation related to livestock grazing and mining in the area and long-term decrease in streamflow related to drought, diversions, and groundwater depletion. Due to the botanical uniqueness of the Sand Creek area within the ecoregion and to the relict population of longnose suckers in the stream, special preservation actions were recommended.
