The climate of the area is classified as Cool-summer mediterranean, defined by wet winters and dry summers punctuated by frequent marine fogs.

[4] Buckhorn Creek is managed to ensure clean and unpolluted inflow to the Upper San Leandro Reservoir, which is a major source of drinking water for the area's dense population.

Despite originating in Contra Costa County, home to 1.61 million people, 1,626 per square mile,[5][6] Buckhorn Creek is almost entirely undeveloped and protected from its source to its outlet.

A large proportion of the streams draining into the San Francisco Estuary have undergone significant habitat degradation as a result of the intensive residential and industrial development undertaken in the region in the last century.

Black-tailed deer, coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes and cottontail rabbit among many other species live in the Buckhorn Creek watershed.

[7] The Central California Coast Steelhead DPS is federally listed as threatened as a result of habitat loss and degradation, as well as the widespread installation of migration barriers.

[8] Rainbow trout migrate from Upper San Leandro Reservoir to Buckhorn Creek to spawn during periods of high water.

However, due to its relative low flow and poor instream substrate for spawning, Buckhorn Creek has limited value to trout restoration.