Residents report persistent drainage and near‑flooding at Pinehurst; board directs engineer to inspect

Resident Shari Perkins told the River Ridge Community Development District board on July 23 that a week after a street drain was plugged, water continues to overflow in the triangle monument area and ponding is occurring near a retention pond between River 8 and River 9.

"The drainage issues persist; water has been overflowing in the triangle monument area," Perkins said, and she relayed that resident Fred Kronke emailed her that the retention pond appears nonfunctional and is nearly 1 foot above the drain. The board asked Perkins to provide photographs or video of the ponding so staff and the engineer can assess the condition.

District Engineer John Baker said the initial problem — water draining from one system directly into another — was addressed when an inlet was plugged, but that the plug removed the previous outflow path and created a small, trapped accumulation "akin to a very tiny pond in a pipe." Baker cautioned that resolving the remaining flooding will likely require additional study.

Chuck Adams, the district manager, described the downstream route for water from the pipes in question, saying the flow ultimately reaches the Estero River after crossing private property, the street and the golf course. The board agreed to direct the District Engineer to view the drainage firsthand and to consider next steps based on photographic evidence and an on‑site inspection.

District Counsel Tony Pires later told the board he has drafted a drainage easement for the Golf and River Club Seaside and is obtaining the supporting sketch and legal descriptions, which staff said may be relevant to long‑term fixes.

Next steps: Perkins will provide photos or video to CDD staff; the District Engineer will view the area and advise the board; staff will pursue additional proposals to address the inlet and retention pond.