Residents tell River Ridge supervisors drainage fixes needed after plugged pipe left water "nowhere to go"

At the River Ridge Community Development District meeting July 23, resident Shari Perkins told the Board of Supervisors that drainage problems persist a week after a pipe was plugged, saying water has been "overflowing in the triangle monument area" and asking the Board to address two drains at the Pinehurst monument. Perkins also relayed that another resident reported a retention pond between River 8 and River 9 is nearly 1 foot above the drain and appears non-functional.

District Engineer John Baker told the board the prior condition involved one system pushing water into another; plugging the inlet stopped that direct push but left "no place for the water to go" and likened the result to "a very tiny pond in a pipe." He said resolving the drainage issues will "likely require additional study" and urged collection of photographs or video to document flooding instances so staff can investigate.

The board discussed routes for stormwater outflow and the possibility of impact to the drainage system if observed flooding continues. Resident Ed Nowak asked about the outflow on the northern end of Pinehurst Greens Drive; District management explained that the water ultimately flows into the Estero River and described the pipe routing through private and golf-course property toward a ditch that runs down to the River Club.

Board members directed staff to have the District Engineer view the affected areas firsthand and asked Ms. Perkins to provide photos and video evidence she referenced. No formal motion or budget commitment was made at the meeting; Mr. Baker said staff would study options and report back.

The district keeps the Pinehurst inlet-top repair estimate on the agenda for follow-up; the board also has requested an additional contractor proposal for the Type 9 inlet top.