The Corps Water Management System (CWMS) includes four interrelated models to assist with water management for the basin:

- GeoHMS (Geospatial Hydrologic Modeling Extension)
- ResSIM (Reservoir System Simulation)
- RAS (River Analysis System)
- FIA (Flood Impact Analysis)

The Red River watershed originates in the high plains of eastern New Mexico. Flowing southeast across Texas and Louisiana to a point northwest of Baton Rouge, where it enters the Atchafalaya River, which
flows south to Atchafalaya Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Red River drains an area of some 93,000 square miles (241,000 square km) and has a length of 1,290 miles (2,080 km). The banks of the Red River are highly erosive causing frequent changes to the river channel characteristics as bank caving and sediment deposits occur from each flow event.

The main stem of the Red River flows through two USACE Districts, Tulsa District (SWT) in Southwestern Division (SWD) and Vicksburg District (MVK) in Mississippi Valley Division (MVD). Two other SWD Districts regulate reservoir outflows on tributaries which empty into the Red River. These are Little Rock (SWL) and Fort Worth (SWF) Districts.

The Fort Worth District operates three multi-purpose reservoirs on two tributaries of the Red River. Cooper and Wright Patman Dams are located on Sulphur River with Cooper being the most upstream dam. Farrell’s Bridge Dam, which impounds Lake O’ the Pines, is located on the Cypress River. Both rivers flow into the Red River between Fulton, AR and Shreveport, LA. Some of the authorized purposes
for these projects include flood control, water supply, recreation and environmental releases.

Cooper Dam located on the South Sulphur River at river mile 23.2, upstream of Wright Patman Dam. The lake lies within Delta and Hopkins Counties, about 4 miles south of Cooper, Texas and 15 miles north of Sulphur Springs, Texas. The total drainage area above Cooper Dam is 476 square miles. That area has two principle drainage systems: the Middle Sulphur River and the South Sulphur River. These two rivers have a combined drainage area of 341 square miles above their confluence, with 135 square miles between their confluence and the dam site.