Historically this watercourse was called Wild Water Creek, a name used in the time of author Jack London, some of whose work was inspired by the stream.

Archeological surface surveys indicate that the Graham Creek watershed was used as a seasonal hunting and gathering ground by prehistoric Pomo and Wappo people, who traveled extensively to forage and barter.

London commented that he wished to reverse the ecological damage in the watershed, which was caused by construction of check dams and animal grazing by the early European pioneers.

In these oak woodlands, the dominant understory plants are toyon, blackberry, western poison-oak and in occasional drier patches some coyote brush.

These investigations have demonstrated a historical decline in spawning and habitat value for these species, primarily due to sedimentation[8] and secondarily to removal of riparian vegetation since the 19th century.