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Gulf Harbor residents press Collier County for dredging, site visit after repeated flooding
Summary
Residents of the Gulf Harbor neighborhood urged Collier County to dredge the Cocohatchee River, adjust water releases and conduct an in-person site visit after repeated fresh-water flooding since 2017; county staff and commissioners committed to follow-up.
Gulf Harbor residents told the Collier County Board of Commissioners on June 24 that repeated freshwater flooding since 2017 has left streets and homes inundated and urged county and water‑management officials to dredge the Cocohatchee River and meet residents onsite.
Why it matters: Speakers said flooding has moved from occasional street inundation to repeated intrusions into homes, causing safety and habitability concerns for single‑story and older residents. They asked the county to pursue dredging, control release timing from upstream structures and coordinate with the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
What residents said: Kip Blackman described flooding that began in 2017 and increased after development to the east, saying the Cocoa weir and downstream channels now convey large flows into Gulf Harbor. “We want the river dredged,” Blackman told the commission, adding that a 500 cubic foot per second flow can move millions of gallons per hour into the neighborhood. He said he has worked with the South Florida Water Management District and county staff but still seeks an in‑person meeting.
Shelley Schell, another resident, said flooding blocked school buses and constrained daily life: “We can't even get off buses or anything due to this flooding.” Cheryl Baron asked the county to consider grants or dedicated funding for dredging and canal maintenance and urged county staff to make a site visit with residents.
Denise Shanabarger said her neighborhood has flooded eight times since Hurricane Ian, with water depth ranging “from 8 inches to 16 inches to 4 feet,” and that testing shows the water is primarily fresh rather than gulf water.
County response and next steps: County staff named Trinity Scott and Marshall Miller as county contacts who will work with South Florida Water Management District, and Commissioner McDaniel noted ongoing permitting conversations with the Army Corps of Engineers related to a dredging permit near a bridge. Commissioners said they would arrange in‑person visits and keep communication open; no formal county funding was approved at the June 24 meeting.
Ending: Residents asked for a site visit and a clearer timeline for dredging and canal maintenance; commissioners and staff agreed to follow up with the water‑management district and federal permitting authorities.
