Pine Bluff struggles with drainage problems post-rain

TL/DR –

The city of Pine Bluff experienced a significant rainfall during the first week of April which led to flooding and highlighted concerns about the city’s drainage system. The city had been due to receive $32 million in funding for watershed improvements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2022, but the funding has been paused due to a review ordered by President Trump. Tiger Dockett, director of the Pine Bluff Street Department, and Mayor Vivian Flowers have argued that a significant part of the drainage problem is due to residents blocking the drains with leaves and trash, and a lack of manpower to keep the streets clean.

Townsend Park Submerged after Torrential Rain in Pine Bluff

Last weekend, heavy rain submerged Townsend Park in Pine Bluff. The path from Townsend Drive to the heavily flooded Fluker Avenue was risky due to high water levels.

Pine Bluff experienced 8.35 inches of rainfall in the first week of April, with 3.67 inches falling last Saturday alone. This heavy rainfall did bring about good fishing conditions near Lake Saracen.

Local resident Roderick Neal, however, faced trouble commuting to work in Stuttgart due to the flooding. He had to leave early to navigate the 36-mile journey safely.

Many Pine Bluff roads remained flooded one to two days after the skies cleared, raising queries about the city’s drainage system. Despite being hit by Arkansas River flooding six years back, the city streets are still slow to drain.

Pine Bluff Grapples with Drainage Woes

The city’s drainage issues stem from its outdated and narrow infrastructure and man-made problems. Leaves, tree limbs, and trash clog up pipes and drains, leading to inadequate water drainage.

The city had planned to fund a $32 million drainage system improvement project with federal funds. An executive order from President Donald Trump, however, has halted this funding for review.

Whilst Pine Bluff’s plumbing requires a revamp, the city’s mayor, Vivian Flowers, believes that simple habit changes by citizens can lead to significant improvements.

Citizens Can Help Improve Drainage

Tiger Dockett, director of the Pine Bluff Street Department, believes 90% of the drainage issues are due to citizens trashing the ditches, causing blockages. Clogged drains are typically found to be full of leaves, sticks, mud and even trash can wheels.

The street department has 22 workers for street duties, not enough to keep up with the drainage requirements. City code bans accumulation of trash outside receptacles, but these rules need stricter enforcement, according to Dockett.

Public information campaigns and working with residents to address clogging issues can help improve the situation. A complete replacement of the drainage system, however, seems unaffordable for Pine Bluff at the moment.

The city’s focus is on patching up the system where possible and replacing segments only when absolutely necessary.

Improvements in the city’s drainage system can ensure that heavy rainfall does not lead to flooding, and residents are kept safe. Neal echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for better infrastructures to prevent water flooding close to doorways.

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