Resident urges River Ridge board to address plugged drains, warns of flooding at Pinehurst

ESTERO, Fla. — Resident Shari Perkins told the River Ridge Community Development District Board of Supervisors on July 23 that drainage problems persist at the Pinehurst monument a week after a pipe was plugged, with water overflowing around the monument and a retention pond between River 8 and River 9 holding water nearly 1 foot above the drain.

Perkins said the ponding creates a flood risk for adjacent properties and asked the board to address two drains on the left and right sides of the Pinehurst monument. She said resident Fred Kronke had emailed her about the retention pond and that she would provide photographs and video footage to district staff to document the condition.

John Baker, the district engineer, told the board the original problem stemmed from one stormwater system draining directly into another; after staff plugged the inlet, there is no longer a forcing action and water is collecting "akin to a very tiny pond in a pipe." He said resolving the issue will likely require additional study and recommended staff obtain photographic or video evidence of flooding to help diagnose the problem.

The board directed district staff to have the district engineer view the drainage location firsthand. District Manager Chuck Adams described the outflow path and said all water ultimately flows to the Estero River, with the pipes running between private properties, across the street and the golf course before reaching the River Club ditch.

The board did not take a formal action at the meeting; staff will pursue video/photo evidence and bring findings and any recommended repairs back to a future meeting.