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The definition of wetlands is based under the convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971). This definition states that; “Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peat-land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide not exceed six meters.”
It is the last category that is of interest to WASA since this category includes, water storage areas and wastewater treatment areas. These major areas are: Navet Reservoir The Navet Reservoir stretches out in several directions, all the way to the feet of distant hills forming intricate patterns of inlets and coves, some as much as six (6) kilometers long. There are three (3) streams that feed the main Navet River. These steams have been dammed to form the Navet Reservoir. The entire reservoir covers an area of three hundred and twenty four (324) hectares of land with a storage capacity of 4.4 billion gallons of fresh water. The surrounding vegetation of this inland lake is dominated with Cocrite, Mora, Guatacare, Carat, Crappo and Dediasse trees. These trees in turn provide shelter for the variety of animals found living around the Navet reservoir such as, the Manicou, Agouti, Armadillo, Porcupine, Lappe, Red Howler Monkeys and the Red Brocket Deer. [Read more...] Hollis Reservoir The Hollis Reservoir is the oldest of the four major dams in Trinidad and Tobago. The reservoir's catchment area supports a wide variety of animals such as Agoutis, Tattoos, Howler Monkeys, Caimans, Deer, Wild Hogs and a number of different types of snakes. The forest around this area also provides a home to more than ninety (90) species of birds, some of which are visitors from North and South America. Table 1 lists some of the flora in the area. Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4 also list the fauna observed in the catchment area. [Read more...] Arena Reservoir Arena Reservoir is a marriage of man-made technology and nature's geographical systems. The reservoir is sited in an area where natural faulting gives rise to steep elevations and low valleys that provide a water storage area of six hundred and eighty (680) hectares of land. This site is located between the El Pillar and Los Bajos faults. The Arena Dam is the largest ever built in Trinidad and Tobago. Though the reservoir is a feat of man's engineering ability, the natural beauty of the environment was not destroyed. Hawks, Black Bellied Ducks, Caimans and Pied Water Tyrants all have their habitats around the periphery of the reservoir. The vegetation around this reservoir is dotted with highly colorful flowers and fruit trees such as the Chaconia and the Balata. [Read more...] |