Climate Change, Water Resource Management and Flood Resilience in Barbados |

Case Study

Climate Change, Water Resource Management and Flood Resilience in Barbados

Overview

Barbados receives large seasonal rainfall, resulting in widespread flooding, yet remains one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. Baird was retained by the Government of Barbados to undertake a comprehensive program to improve stormwater management and flood resilience.

Project Highlights

Funded by USAID, the study program took a forward-looking, integrated approach to the long-term sustainability of water resources in Barbados. This initiative aimed to lessen the potential effects of climate change, reduce the devastating impacts of flooding in targeted areas and increase overall water resilience. The major components of this study were:

A Revised Stormwater Management Plan for the West Coast of Barbados
Identification of flood reduction measures in the Trents/Holetown Area
Creation of a plan to manage one of the last remnants of natural coastal wetland in Barbados, the Holetown Lagoon
A field investigation and numerical modelling to quantify stormwater and groundwater quality
Completion of an Education, Awareness, Outreach and Training program for Government and the public at large
Development of a plan for Government Institutional Strengthening to address water resource concerns
Design and implementation of selected improvements to stormwater drainage in the Holetown area

Project Challenges:

A fast-paced project schedule
Understanding and quantifying a complex hydraulic environment
Addressing the uncertainty and variability in future climate change impacts
Completion of an extensive field and data collection program
Development of an educational program to meet the needs of diverse audiences

Project Solutions:

A comprehensive assessment of stormwater pathways and existing drainage infrastructure capacity
Conceptual design of improvements to stormwater infrastructure for 59 watersheds
Detailed designs and tender package developed for selected drainage improvement projects
Detailed characterization of surface and groundwater quality in study area
Island-specific educational website: http://barbadosclimatechange.com/

Explore Other Case Studies

Whiting Lakefront Park
Whiting, IN, USA

An assessment of storm damage to a rubble mound revetment protecting a park in Whiting, IN, along with the design and construction of emergency repair works and preliminary design development for comprehensive rehabilitation works for the structure.

View Full Case Study
Whitesand First Nation Shoreline Stabilization
Lake Nipigon, ON, Canada

Baird was retained to complete the planning, design and construction services to protect 1,400 metres of eroding shoreline on Whitesand First Nation traditional land, located on the north shore of Lake Nipigon. The design consisted of an armour stone revetment and slope stabilization.

View Full Case Study