Guaracara River

The Guaracara River, located in south Trinidad, runs westward approximately 30 km long, out of the Central Range and drains into the Gulf of Paria. It forms the boundary between the city of San Fernando and the Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo Regional Corporation. In local terms it separates Marabella from Pointe-à-Pierre.
The river is heavily polluted, both by non-point agricultural and residential run-off from Marabella and the town of Gasparillo, and from industrial waste from the oil refinery at Pointe-a-Pierre owned by Petrotrin.

History

In 1687 Capuchin monks used the Guaracara River to enter the interior of the island on their way to establish a mission at Savana Grande. In 1856 a tram line was established between the Union Embarcadere on the south bank of the river, and Garth Estate. Between 1882 and 1884 it was converted by the Trinidad Government Railway into a rail line connecting Guaracara with Princes Town.