The Caroni and its tributaries drain into one of the most densely populated parts of Trinidad, the East–West Corridor, and also provides most of its drinking water through the Caroni–Arena Dam.

Point and non-point pollution is thus a major concern, as is the deforestation of its watershed on the southern slopes of the Northern Range.

The River is known to have strong currents and occasionally floods during heavy rainfall, devastating crops, livestock, fields, and farms in the Caroni area.

[3] The catchment basin of the Caroni River covers about 600 square kilometres (230 sq mi) in north Trinidad[3] and occupies three of the five major physiographic units that make up the island of Trinidad: the Northern Range, the Northern Basin (or Caroni Plain), and the Central Range.

Berrío came to Trinidad in 1593 and used it as a base for exploring the mainland of South America while trying to prevent the establishment of English privateers and traders on the island.