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Dams on Curaçao

Due to the semi-arid climate on Curaçao, rainwater management was a necessity for the Dutch West India Company at the time (from the 17th century). The average annual rainfall is 500 mm, but the soil layers of Curaçao do not retain water well.

A whole system of low stone dams, also called ‘fahas’, were strategically installed in the vast valleys and gullies across the island to allow the precious water to seep into the ground. Such a system can still be clearly seen on the former Ascencion plantation. The aim was to reduce the speed at which the water flowed and thereby limit erosion. The fertile silt that was carried along settled and remained behind, while percolation in the soil also increased.

Due to these low water barriers, the water remained above ground for a shorter period of time, which limited the mortality of fruit trees. With the industrial revolution came heavy machinery, and large and high earthen dams were built at the expense of the low stone dams. Also on the former plantation Kas Koraal the old dams made way for earthen dams.

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The dams in the Kabouterbos

The dams in the Kabouterbos and the surrounding area are from before the Second World War. This was a water catchment area, which fell under the then national water supply. It extended to the terrains up to the Reigerweg. In reality, this enormous water catchment area ends in the Schottegat between Pos Kabai and Groot Davelaar. The area receives most of its water from Granbeeuw, Sapateer, Vetter and Jongbloed. During the war there was a military maintenance unit here (in the later zoo) for the so-called half-tracks. It also had to guard the water catchment area. During the Second World War there was a trial garden here to grow vegetables and more for the food supply of the island. After the war this was no longer necessary and this trial garden became a botanical garden and later a zoo. The LVV service (agriculture, livestock and fisheries service) was only established in 1963. The management of the dams falls under a department of the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature.