do you know where the creek feeds into once it is off your property? it might be wiser to try actually cut away some land past the area that gets hit the hardest. opening up the gap could allow the water to flow quicker, and gives it more space to run, that way it will keep the creek lower. however if you know where the creek ends, if it feeds into a ditch or a field there are many ways to allow the water to drain quicker to keep the creek level lower.