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4 <br />A watershed is the total land area that is drained by a <br />particular stream or river. Watersheds vary tremendously in size <br />depending on the scale that is viewed. <br />Colorado has 5 major watersheds (also called river basins) <br />which are pictured here. These watersheds contain many <br />progressively smaller watersheds. The U.S. Geological Survey <br />created a classification system for watersheds, with each water- <br />shed having a unique hydrologic unit code (HUC). A HUC <br />can range from 2 to 16 digits, with more digits for smaller <br />watersheds. <br />Gunnison River Watershed <br />The Gunnison River Watershed (shown at left) contains many <br />smaller watersheds. <br />Watersheds, for all their complexity, perform several very basic <br />and important functions. They catch, store, and release water <br />and sediment over time. <br />The 8th level hydrologic units (named at left) often form the <br />basic planning units for addressing stream corridor or watershed <br />problems and opportunities. <br />The map below shows a very small portion of the Tomichi Creek <br />watershed. Local maps such as these show land ownership and <br />are used to plan small scale and individual projects within <br />watersheds. <br />WHAT IS A WATERSHED?