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Drainage Capacity and Flood Risk Assessment of Georgetown, Guyana


Authors : Michael L. Hackett

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/bdfzusw3

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/52ntf698

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar608

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Abstract : This study quantifies the drainage capacity and flood risk of Georgetown, Guyana, through field measurements and hydraulic analysis covering the city’s catchment area of 28.5 km2 . Field visits to the city’s sluices and pumps between 2016 and 2025 provided measurements of channel width, depth, and operational characteristics. Using the Chezy-Manning equation, a unified Sluice Drainage Coefficient Equation was derived to compute theoretical daily drainage capacity directly from sluice geometry and site parameters. Results indicate a total gravity drainage coefficient of approximately 61 mm/day (2.5 mm/hr) from the ten sluices, increasing to about 131 mm/day (5.5 mm/hr) when combined with the twelve drainage pumps. Rainfall data from 2011–2026 were analysed using the Weibull method to estimate return periods and exceedance probabilities. The analysis shows that temporary flooding occurs whenever rainfall intensity exceeds about 5.5 mm/hr, even when the system is fully operational. Recent rain-induced floods – such as 69.2 mm in four hours (December 2025) and 96.7 mm in four hours (February 2026) – produced intensities 3 – 5 times higher than the system’s hourly discharge rate, resulting in temporary flooding until low-tide gravity drainage resumed. These findings confirm that Georgetown’s flooding is governed primarily by its physical and tidal limitations rather than maintenance deficiencies. The integrated drainagecoefficient model developed in this study provides a practical tool for assessing and upgrading tidal drainage systems. It highlights the need to assess rainfall not only by daily totals but also by hourly intensity to guide realistic design standards for coastal urban drainage infrastructure.

Keywords : Catchment Area, Chart Datum (CD), Conveyance, Discharge Capacity, Drainage Coefficient, Exceedance Probability, Flood Risk, Rainfall Intensity, Return Period, Runoff Coefficient, Stormwater Storage.

References :

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  3. Guyana Chronicle. (2014, November 20). Hydromet reports… Highest rainfall recorded in Georgetown. https://guyanachronicle.com/2014/11/20/hydromet-reports-highest-rainfall-recorded-in-georgetown/
  4. Guyana Chronicle. (2015, June 20). Heavy rainfall leads to flash flooding in the city and its environs. https://guyanachronicle.com/2015/06/20/heavy-rainfall-leads-to-flash-flooding-in-the-city-and-its-environs/
  5. Guyana Chronicle. (2016a, May 2). MPI working to clear blockages in city drainage. https://guyanachronicle.com/2016/05/02/mpi-working-to-clear-blockages-in-city-drainage/
  6. Guyana Chronicle. (2016b, September 17). Dutch students present final report on city’s drainage infrastructure. https://guyanachronicle.com/2016/09/07/dutch-students-present-final-report-on-citys-drainage-infrastructure/
  7. Guyana Chronicle. (2020, November 4). High water levels threaten capacity of pumps. https://guyanachronicle.com/2020/11/05/high-water-levels-threaten-capacity-of-pumps/
  8. Guyana Chronicle. (2025, December 6). All pumps operational. https://guyanachronicle.com/2025/12/06/all-pumps-operational/
  9. Guyana Standard. (2021, December 27). Water Levels receding across Georgetown. https://www.guyanastandard.com/2021/12/27/water-levels-receding-across-georgetown/
  10. Guyana Tide Tables and List of Lights for 2016. (2016). Maritime Administration Department, Guyana Harbour Authority. www.marad.gov.gy
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  17. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) & CTI Engineering International Co., Ltd. (2017, October). Data collection survey on drainage capacity in Georgetown in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Final Report. National Drainage and Irrigation Authority. https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12292934.pdf
  18. Kaieteur News. (2011, February 23). Excessive rains will compromise city’s drainage system. https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2011/02/23/excessive-rains-will-compromise-city’s-drainage-system/
  19. Kaieteur News. (2012, March 1). Several drainage pumps fail as city is submerged. https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/03/01/several-drainage-pumps-fail-as-city-is-submerged/
  20. Kaieteur News. (2013, November 28). Flood forces city to a standstill. https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/11/28/flood-forces-city-to-a-standstill/
  21. Kaieteur News. (2015, July 17). G/town not designed for this magnitude of rainfall – Authorities. http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2015/07/17/gtown-not-designed-for-this-magnitude-of-rainfall-authorities/
  22. Kaieteur News. (2023, June 9). Heavy rains swamp sections of Georgetown. https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/2023/06/09/heavy-rains-swamp-sections-of-georgetown/
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  25. Ministry of Agriculture. (2020, November 4). Gov’t working to improve drainage systems to ease flooding. https://agriculture.gov.gy/2020/11/04/govt-working-to-improve-drainage-systems-to-ease-flooding
  26. Moray House Trust. (2014, April 28). Drainage of the City of Georgetown [Public lecture by Bert Carter]. Georgetown, Guyana. https://www.morayhousetrust.com/events/drainage-of-the-city-of-georgetown/
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  35. Ramraj, R. (1996). Rainfall Distribution along coastal Guyana, 1901-1980. The Geographical Bulletin, 38 (1), 37 https://1library.net/document/y6p1285q-rainfall-distribution-along-coastal-guyana.html
  36. Remmers, J., Muller, J., Van Montfort, R., Focks, T. J., Vijn, P., Dorrepaal, S., & Van Wijngaarden, M. (2016, November 14). Analysis of drainage system in Georgetown, Guyana. Delft University of Technology. https://guynode.com/Final%20Report%20-%20Project%20Georgetown.pdf
  37. Rowe, W.O. (1970). A Report on Declared Drainage and Irrigation Areas in Guyana. Land Use Study. Supplemental Paper No. 2. Ministry of Works, Hydraulics and Supply.
  38. Stabroek News. (2016, December 24). Rain, high tide underline city flood woes. https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/12/24/news/guyana/rain-high-tide-underline-city-flood-woes/
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This study quantifies the drainage capacity and flood risk of Georgetown, Guyana, through field measurements and hydraulic analysis covering the city’s catchment area of 28.5 km2 . Field visits to the city’s sluices and pumps between 2016 and 2025 provided measurements of channel width, depth, and operational characteristics. Using the Chezy-Manning equation, a unified Sluice Drainage Coefficient Equation was derived to compute theoretical daily drainage capacity directly from sluice geometry and site parameters. Results indicate a total gravity drainage coefficient of approximately 61 mm/day (2.5 mm/hr) from the ten sluices, increasing to about 131 mm/day (5.5 mm/hr) when combined with the twelve drainage pumps. Rainfall data from 2011–2026 were analysed using the Weibull method to estimate return periods and exceedance probabilities. The analysis shows that temporary flooding occurs whenever rainfall intensity exceeds about 5.5 mm/hr, even when the system is fully operational. Recent rain-induced floods – such as 69.2 mm in four hours (December 2025) and 96.7 mm in four hours (February 2026) – produced intensities 3 – 5 times higher than the system’s hourly discharge rate, resulting in temporary flooding until low-tide gravity drainage resumed. These findings confirm that Georgetown’s flooding is governed primarily by its physical and tidal limitations rather than maintenance deficiencies. The integrated drainagecoefficient model developed in this study provides a practical tool for assessing and upgrading tidal drainage systems. It highlights the need to assess rainfall not only by daily totals but also by hourly intensity to guide realistic design standards for coastal urban drainage infrastructure.

Keywords : Catchment Area, Chart Datum (CD), Conveyance, Discharge Capacity, Drainage Coefficient, Exceedance Probability, Flood Risk, Rainfall Intensity, Return Period, Runoff Coefficient, Stormwater Storage.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - March - 2026

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