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 Kansas River watershed rises in eastern Colorado with portions of the Republican and Smoky Hill River drainages in that state. The Smoky Hill and Republican Rivers along with their tributaries flow generally eastward across western Kansas to Junction City, KS where they join to form the Kansas River. From Junction City, the Kansas River flows eastward until it joins the Missouri River at Kansas City. Other major tributaries to the Kansas River include the Big Blue, Delaware, and Wakarusa Rivers. Average annual precipitation in the basin varies from less than 16 inches in eastern Colorado to 39 inches at Kansas City. Floods generally occur due to convective storms in the spring and summer months, however large floods can be caused by extended wet periods.

the Smoky Hill River below Kanopolis Dam. Junction City sits at the confluence that forms the Kansas River. Fort Riley, a prominent army post is located near Junction City, and three levee systems protect portions of the post from flooding from the Republican and Kansas Rivers. Downstream, large communities along the Kansas include Manhattan, Topeka, the state capital, Lawrence and Kansas City. Each of these cities contain areas protected by major levees.