Category Archives: Events

Events, Rafting, safety

No Alcohol Ban Planned For American River’s Rage on the River Party

Sacramento County Parks Director Jeff Leatherman says the “Rage on the River” participants will be allowed to drink on the river, “It’s been going on for a handful of years.  There was an event similar to this back in June that we didn’t have any significant problems associated with the event down in the lower part of the river near Discovery Park.  So, we don’t anticipate any problems this time.”

Rage on the River is not be confused with the “Rafting Gone Wild” event that took place farther up the river in July.  That ended with several brawls and dozens of people arrested or injured.

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Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, safety

Sacramento supervisors extend alcohol ban on American River Parkway

Sacramento County supervisors voted to extend a ban on alcohol along the American River Parkway following last month’s drunken fracas at an event called Rafters Gone Wild.

Supervisors granted the county parks director the authority to ban alcohol consumption on the parkway between Hazel and Watt avenues when he anticipates such events could threaten public safety.

The action extends the county’s previous drinking ban on the parkway, which is in effect on three holidays – Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Supporters of the stronger ban say they expect young revelers will find a way around it.

“They’ve declared war on you,” said John Barris, a retired county juvenile court administrator.

This was the second year public safety officials struggled to contain fights, nudity and other questionable activity at Rafting Gone Wild, an event that has been promoted through social media without any support by a known organization. More than 3,000 people showed up to the event last month, with 23 people arrested.

More at SacBee.com >>>
Events, Fish, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Low Flow Levels to Help Nimbus Fish Hatchery

Officials will be decreasing the flows of the American River below the Nimbus Dam on August 9 for the annual installation of a structure to help spawning salmon.

What this means is that water levels along the lower American River could fluctuate a few feet, with officials advising caution for anyone who happens to be along the river that day.

The Nimbus Fish Hatchery will be installing a system, called a fish weir structure, that will help guide spawning Chinook salmon into their facility.

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Bike Trail, Events, Fire, Fish, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

Surprise $54M won’t impact Auburn recreation areas

Auburn and Folsom state recreation areas won’t benefit from $54 million recently found stashed in California State Parks’ budget.

Local recreation officials said the 25-year partnership between the two recreation areas and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that was signed last January prevents any of the newly found money from potentially being allocated to Auburn or Folsom Lake by the governor.

“No, that money will go to the governor to be appropriated, but it should have no impact on Auburn Recreation Area or any of the units associated with the agreement,” said Matt Green, superintendent of the Gold Fields District of State Parks.

That means the recreation areas will continue to be, in Green’s words, “self-sustaining” through revenue it generates partially through fees and supplemental funding it gets from the Bureau of Reclamation. On July 1, new fees were added to parking areas in the Auburn and Folsom Lake state recreation areas or existing fees were increased.

For example, parking along the road in the Auburn State Recreation Area was free before, but on July 1 a $10-per-day fee was imposed in the confluence area and in the Lake Clementine area boat launching fees were also increased to $10.

California State Parks recently found $54 million of unspent money in its budget due to underreporting of funds to the state Department of Finance for the last 12 years, according to a press release by the state Natural Resources Agency.

Roughly $20.3 million of recreation funds and more than $33.4 million off-highway vehicle funds were unused by State Parks, the release stated.

Katy Veling, of Auburn, was enjoying the confluence area near Auburn on Wednesday and said she wishes the $54 million could be used to either lessen or do away with the fees. She even said the new parking fee has kept her away from her favorite swimming spot on the American River.

 More at ColfaxRecord.com >>>
Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, Water

Eppie’s Great Race draws more than 2,000 competitors to American River Parkway

More than 2,000 people sprinted, pedaled and rowed in Eppie’s Great Race today, with veteran Vic Vicari, fresh face Diana Hellman and a group named “Vitek Vikings” seizing the honors of Ironman, Ironwoman and the team champion.

“The World’s Oldest Triathlon” consists of a 5.82-mile run and a 12.5-mile bike ride along the American River Parkway trail, and a 6.35-mile paddle on the river. Since its origin in 1974, organizers have presented about $970,000 to the race’s primary beneficiary, Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services.

More at SacBee.com >>>
Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Expansion of American River alcohol ban considered

Sacramento officials are mulling whether to expand a holiday ban on alcohol on the American River after a recent event was marred by violence and arrests.

The Sacrament Bee reported ( http://bit.ly/OE7CPc) that the county Board of Supervisors would discuss extending the ban after last weekend’s “Rafters Gone Wild,” an event that drew more than 3,000 revelers to the river.

Authorities said rocks and bottles were thrown at officers and paramedics during Saturday’s event, as they tried to break up brawls and provide aid.

More ate MercuryNews.com >>>

Events, Fish, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Salmon fishing season opens Central California rivers

Recreational salmon fishing has begun on Central California rivers in what officials call the first normal season since the fall-run Chinook salmon crash five years ago.
The river fishing season was closed in 2008 and 2009.

State Fish and Game fisheries spokesman Stafford Lehr says fishing should be good on the Sacramento, Feather, American and Mokelumne rivers.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Drunken brawls erupt on sunny American River raft route

Even the most serene setting can turn ugly, given enough time and alcohol.

That truism was proved Saturday on the American River during the second annual Rafters Gone Wild. Luring more than 3,000 people onto the water for a peaceful float, the event eventually degenerated into a series of brawls and rock-throwing incidents.

For much of the day, law enforcement and fire rescue officials busied themselves keeping watch over rafters having trouble with rapids or falling out of their boats.

By 5 p.m., however, dozens were fighting on the shores of Ancil Hoffman Park, beating each other with paddles or rocks and hurling stones at fire and rescue boats, officials said.

“It started out fairly reasonable, but as they day went on, the drunkenness and the fights increased with them,” said Sgt. Randy Lewis, a Sacramento County park ranger. He added that law enforcement officials were dealing with fights constantly after 5 p.m.

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Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Authorities out in force as Rafters Gone Wild gets under way

More than 1,000 rafters have taken to the American River in today’s second annual Rafters Gone Wild event publicized through Facebook and other social media that’s expected to draw as many as 3,000 revelers to the Sacramento waterway.

Law enforcement and rescue personnel are out in force, with as many as 50 to 60 officers patrolling the waters, authorities said.

Scott Cockrum, deputy chief of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department, said there has been one call for rescue so far with a person struggling in the San Juan rapids without a life jacket. While the rafting events initial hours have been calm, Cockrum said it could take hours before authorities start to see problems on the river.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Events, Rafting, safety

Rafters Gone Wild return to party Saturday on American River

A perfect storm of high summer temperatures, a fast moving river and thousands of rafters – some partying with alcohol – Saturday on the American River  has garnered the full attention of law enforcementagencies and rescue organizations.

More than 3,000 rafters are expected to participate in this year’s Rafters Gone Wild event on the American River between Sunrise Boulevard and River Bend Park. This is the second year the event – whose popularity has evolved briskly via Facebook – is taking place.

Last year, roughly 3,500 people flocked to the river, with law enforcement agencies making 12 arrests and providing aid to nearly 100 people.

“The weather is going to be in the high 90s, and that makes people want to get out on the water and drink,” said Jason Ramos, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. “From our standpoint, we have to be prepared.”

The event, which will begin at 11 a.m., is described on Facebook as a day of summer rafting fun for those 21 or older, and will include mud wrestling, cliff jumping, music, homemade grain alcohol and a fruit brew called jungle juice. A river cleanup is slated for Sunday.

It is the alcohol factor that most troubles law enforcement. “We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will have problems that come along with alcohol,” said Ramos.

Six law enforcementand rescue agencies will monitor the event.

More at SacBee.com >>>