River crossing during this time was extremely dangerous. Often people and animals drowned or wagons broke.

Which is why this choice subtracts 25 points.

Waiting for the river to lower was a difficult option but a choice travelers had to consider.

Having to wait meant setting up camp which may have been risky because travelers encountered areas that did not have the resources that they needed like grass for the oxen or game to hunt.

Knowing that they would have to wait for several months for the river to go down is why this choice adds 5 points.

Finding another route and potentially heading 100 miles downriver to a lower portion of the river was a common option because it was the safest option and would allow travelers to find an area with all the resources that they needed.

Which is why this choice adds 15 points.

Heading downriver to catch the ferry was a safer option than trying to cross without the ferry, however, it was very expensive.

Which is why this choice subtracts 10 points.