Abstract
More than 518 km2 (200 mi2) of prime lands in Jamaica lay on Karstic material where sinkholes are the natural outlet of important streams. Due to increasing social pressure, the lands are inappropriately managed and as a consequence, vegetal debris and silting have plugged the sinkholes which have thus lost their capacity to drain the runoff produced during heavy rainfalls.
One of these areas is Cave Valley, which during the last 36 years, has been affected by at least six floodings, some of which have produced losses of life and property, in a sector of the Jamaican population which is already under severe economic hardship.
A flood prevention and mitigation project is being implemented including watershed management, river training and community preparedness. A geologic, hydrologic, and hydraulic analysis are also part of this study. All these measures are expected to reduce future losses.
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References Cited
HECWRC, 1982, Flood flow frequency analysis, users manual
Robinson, E., 1907, Field guide to aspects of the geology of Jamaica.In Int. field inst., guidebook to the Caribbean Island are system; Washington D.C., Amer. Geol. Inst. Washington, p. 1–144.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Hydrologic Engineering Center, 1981 HEC1, Flood hydrograph package users manual, Davis, CA.
USCOE, 1982, Flood flow frequency analysis, users manual, Davis, CA.
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Molina, M., McDonald, F. Sinkhole management and flooding in Jamaica. Environ. Geol. Water Sci 12, 113–116 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02574796
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02574796