Based solely on my observations traveling in the area, the topography is so extreme (very steep cliffs not far from the river banks) that there is little option

Based solely on my observations traveling in the area, the topography is so extreme (very steep cliffs not far from the river banks) that there is little option but to live near the river. I'm sure there are more and less safe places on the river bank, but there aren't many places a safe distance from the river that aren't also thousands of feet up in elevation.