Stone Walkway Makes River Look Deceptively Shallow

As I was walking swiftly away from the Popcorn stand, having paid the girl with a handful of lettuce leaves I reached the bank of a fairly wide river. I was on a hill and could see the other side of the river bank about 200 meters away. The water was calm but had a dark deep color about it. This made me nervous. There was a straight walkway of stones parting the river through to the other side. The water surrounding this walkway was of a much lighter tone and this made the river look deceptively shallow. Why is nobody using this crossing? There is nobody on the other side of the bank. I am worried about crocodiles or any other river monsters jumping out and grabbing any passer-bys. I would not want to cross the river without a shotgun in both of my hands pointing to the sides.