At Bear River Crossing, a ferry had been established through the summer, but by the later part of the season the water had fallen enough to make it useless. On August 19, 1849, Jessie Gould Hannon recorded that the river was about 150 feet wide, averaged 2 1/2 feet deep, had deep green water resembling sea water but tasting fresh and sweet, and carried a very swift and strong current.