USA. Brigham City, UT. 2016. Howard Browers. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a 74,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge in Utah, established in 1928. It encompasses the Bear River and its delta where it flows into the northern part of the Great Salt Lake. Water entering the area is controlled by a system of canals. Some units are dried out to allow water to enter other units and attract birds. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.