Residents tell River Ridge board drainage problems are causing near‑flooding

Resident Shari Perkins told the River Ridge Community Development District Board on July 23 that a week after a pipe was plugged drainage problems persist at the Pinehurst triangle monument and that water has been overflowing the monument area. Perkins asked the board to consider addressing two drains on the left and right sides of the Pinehurst monument and said resident Fred Kronke reported a retention pond between River 8 and River 9 appears non‑functional and is almost one foot above the drain.

District Engineer John Baker said the inlet had been plugged and that, before plugging, water from an upstream system had been pushing through into a lower system. With the inlet blocked, Baker said water currently has no place to go and described the condition as similar to "a very tiny pond in a pipe," recommending additional study to determine a remedy. The board asked Perkins to supply photographs and video and directed the District Engineer and staff to inspect the site firsthand.

Resident Ed Nowak asked about the location of the outflow at the northern end of Pinehurst Greens Drive. District Manager Chuck Adams explained that the pipes in question run between two houses, across the street and golf course and into a ditch that flows to the Estero River.

The board did not adopt any immediate repairs during the meeting; staff will receive the submitted photos/video, the District Engineer will investigate the drainage in person, and staff will report back with study findings and recommended next steps at a future meeting.