Sacramento County officials have decided to ban alcohol on a portion of the American River this Saturday to prevent any risk to the public from the upcoming “Rafting Gone Wild” event.

In 2011, a sandbar known as Gilligan’s Island, was a main gathering point for drunken revelers during Rafting Gone Wild. Last year, more than 3,000 people showed up at the event, with 23 people arrested.

Witnesses described deputies and rangers having difficulty keeping up with the large and chaotic crowd. Fights erupted on the riverbanks and rocks were thrown at rafters, they said.

County parks officials predict that the same unsafe circumstances could occur this Saturday if alcohol was allowed. To forestall any destruction of property or injury, County Director of Parks Jeff Leatherman issued the alcohol restriction today.

“This is based on our experience last year,” said Leatherman. “Last year, when people became more and more intoxicated, they began fighting with each other and fighting with law enforcement.”

Leatherman said that the decision to ban was based on viewing social media where the event is posted and speaking with law enforcement. It appeared that this year’s Rafting Gone Wild would also be alcohol-fueled.

The ban was issued for the American River from Hazel Avenue to Watt Avenue.