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The Corps Water Management System (CWMS) is the automated information system used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to support its water
control management mission. This mission encompasses the regulation of river flow through more than 700 reservoirs, locks, and other water control
structures located throughout the Nation.
CWMS is an integrated system of hardware and software that begins with the receipt of hydromet, watershed, and project status data. This data is then
processed, stored, and made available through a user friendly interface to the water manager to evaluate and model the watershed. Both model and
processed data can be displayed and disseminated in tabular, graphical, and/or geo-spatially resulting in an effective decision support system.
Types of incoming real-time data include: river stage, reservoir elevation, gage precipitation, WSR-88D spatial precipitation, quantitative
precipitation forecasts (QPF) and other hydro-meteorological parameters. These data are used to derive the hydrologic response throughout a watershed
area, including short-term future reservoir inflows and local uncontrolled downstream flows. The reservoir operation model flows are then processed to
provide proposed releases to meet reservoir and downstream operation goals. Then, based on the total expected flows in the river system, river profiles
are computed, inundated areas mapped, and flood impacts analyzed.
CWMS allows evaluation of any number of operation alternatives before a final forecast scenario and release decision are adopted. For example, various
alternative future precipitation amounts may be considered, hydrologic response may be altered, reservoir release rules may be investigated, and
alternative bridge obstruction, levee integrity, or other river conditions may be evaluated. When an operational decision is made the results, along
with supporting hydromet, watershed, and project status and release data may be disseminated to others via web technology.
The system emphasizes visualization of information in time and space. The primary CWMS user interface is map based to provide clear spatial reference
for watershed and modeling information. CorpsView, a USACE developed spatial visualization tool based on commercially available GIS software, provides
a direct user interface to GIS products and associated spatial attribute information.
CWMS has been deployed to over 35 Corps District and Division offices with a water management
mission. CWMS is currently available only to USACE offices. CWMS is "live" 24/7, continuously providing support during routine high
and low flow periods, and during emergencies. CWMS is self-monitoring providing automated status information on components and processes, and alerting
to service needs.
You can contact the CWMS System Developer directly at: Webmaster-HEC@usace.army.mil
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