Residents Tell River Ridge Board That Pinehurst Drains Remain Blocked; Engineer Asked to Investigate

Residents brought unresolved drainage concerns to the River Ridge Community Development District board on July 23, reporting standing water near the Pinehurst monument and a retention pond that appears non-functional.

Resident Shari Perkins said that, a week after a pipe at the Pinehurst monument was plugged, drainage problems persist and water is overflowing in the triangle monument area. Perkins said a resident, Fred Kronke, reported ponding in a retention pond between River 8 and River 9 that was nearly 1 foot above the drain and raised a concern about potential flooding. Perkins said she has photographs of water accumulating over the drain and will obtain video footage for CDD staff.

District Engineer John Baker explained that prior to plugging, water from one system was backing up and flowing into a lower system through the pipe; plugging the inlet stopped that direct pushing action but left the plugged system with “no place for the water to go” and effectively like “a very tiny pond in a pipe.” Baker said resolving the issue will likely require additional study and recommended staff collect photographic or video evidence of flooding for diagnostic purposes.

Following the comments, the board directed the District Engineer to examine the drainage firsthand and instructed staff to accept and review the photographs and video that Perkins will provide. An estimate from MRI Construction for inlet-top protective work (Estimate #C060-24, $10,692.88) was presented and noted as an item to remain on the agenda while the board seeks an additional proposal.

The board will await the engineer’s field observations and the submitted media before determining remediation steps.