Firefighters mounted a large rescue operation after 19 cows got stuck in the river at Stamford Bridge.
Crews from Acomb and Ripon were called to the incident off Buttercrambe Road at 1.49pm.
A North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Crews dug away the river bank for some of the cows to climb out.
“The animal rescue unit and swift water rescue unit from Ripon were used to rescue the rest of the animals.
“All 19 cows were rescued unharmed.”