What this tracks
This dataset maps Nebraska’s watershed boundaries using 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUC12), which identify small drainage areas like creeks or lakes.
Why it matters to you
If you’re buying property near Duck Lake, checking its HUC12 tells you whether stormwater from your land flows into that watershed—critical for flood risk or septic system planning. Farmers can verify if their fields share a watershed with protected wetlands before applying fertilizers. Developers in Lincoln use this to comply with runoff regulations for new construction.
How to read this data
HUC12 — A 12-digit code like “101800140603” pinpointing a specific watershed. The first digits show larger river basins, while later digits narrow to local streams.
NAME — The watershed’s common identifier (e.g., “Duck Lake”).
HUTYPE — Single-letter classification (sample “C” = closed basin with no outlet).
AREAACRES — Watershed size in acres (sample “12744.41” ≈ 20 square miles).
Try it yourself
Search your address on Nebraska’s Watershed Mapping Tool to see which HUC12 basin you live in and its downstream connections.