Bears in Rivers??

[logola512c]

So on the wet side, I always hear about bears heading to the swamps and creeks to cool down during the heat of mid-day.  Do they also sit on a river bank or in the river itself (say a 10 or 15 feet wide river and 18-30 inches deep).  Or do they prefer creeks and swamps for the cover.  The rivers I'm talking about are the bigger ones that go through tree farms from the headwaters, so not likely to see many people, if any and are basically tree lined on both sides.  Thanks in advance, and as always, snarky responses are appreciated just as much as good ones. 

[boneaddict]

They love water, mostly those that they can still have feet on the ground or can lay in

[Twispriver]

I've seen them all around the banks of the Chewuch, Lost and Twisp rivers in the Methow. Though I've never seen one in the water they always seem to be close to it this time of year.

[logola512c]

Thanks for the responses.  It makes sense to me that they'd prefer moving fresh water over still swampy water, but they also eat things that have been dead for a while too so hard to judge how much they care whether the water is fresh or not.

[shmacker]

Not sure if this video will post, but here’s a bear climbing out of a river in front of my duck spread.

[boneaddict]

Thanks for the responses.  It makes sense to me that they'd prefer moving fresh water over still swampy water, but they also eat things that have been dead for a while too so hard to judge how much they care whether the water is fresh or not.

They actually prefer small streams and they generally form “tubs” or “wallows”. 

[Sunbkpk]

Bear soaking in the Wenatchee River in May.

[jrebel]

Bear soaking in the Wenatchee River in May.

That’s a lost hairy walrus…….very rare this far inland. 

Man that’s a nice big bear!!!! 

[pashok23]

Not sure if this video will post, but here’s a bear climbing out of a river in front of my duck spread.

Nice one