The Watershed Boundary Dataset (HUC‑12) provides standardized delineations of California’s sub‑watersheds, capturing hydrologically meaningful drainage areas used for water‑resource planning and analysis. Maintained by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the dataset is derived from the Calwater 2.2.1 watershed framework, which integrates both state and federal hydrologic coding systems. Each polygon represents a nested watershed unit and includes detailed attribution such as hydrologic region, unit, area, sub‑area, acreage, and cross‑referenced USGS Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs). The dataset supports consistent statewide hydrologic modeling, resource management, regulatory reporting, environmental assessment, and GIS applications.