Gut Issues

Hardening

Especially in more developed areas of the island, natural gut infrastructure has been replaced with concrete channels or underground piping. These hardened structures prevent water infiltration, and piped drainage may become overwhelmed during storm events, causing flooding in the surrounding areas.

Dumping

Due to the lack of adequate waste management on St. Croix, many guts experience dumping of household waste and other items. This dumping can prevent stormwater conveyance and lead to residential flooding.

Flooding

Due to other issues with hardened infrastructure and dumping, many guts are often unable to properly channel and discharge water, contributing to flooding in areas adjacent to the guts. Climate change is only exacerbating this issue, causing more frequent and intense rainfall.

Sea Level Rise

Rising sea levels will make it even harder for guts to discharge stormwater as seawater is pushed further up the guts, leaving less room for water conveyance on the island.

Sargassum

USVI has been experiencing a large influx of sargassum seaweed that washes ashore and clogs both natural and man-made infrastructure. As sargassum creeps up the guts, it also hinders water discharge and causes nearby flooding.

Coral Bleaching

Coral reefs are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as temperature increases and increased storm intensity. Because many guts have been hardened and lack the natural ability to filter water, the guts can carry polluted water that is discharged into the sea, contributing to coral bleaching.