If I was by a river and far from regulatory

I'd use a water turbine, or multiple water turbines (Diablo 3 Gold)...usually low output compared to a wind gen at speed, but river currents are far more steady.

I've used small wind generators on boats years ago- I still even have a prop blank out in my shed...the ones I used were built with old 24V computer tape drive motors and used about a 30" diameter blade to get the right speed for max output.

They worked well but any of that stuff that moves needs maintenance...water wheels and turbines have their own issues from the corrosive effects of water and potential problems with floods and debris taking them out.

But I've been close to wind generators that came apart in high winds or when the prop hit part of a boat's rigging accidentally while going full speed, and it's scary as hell even with baby ones like my friends and I used...so if you have a steady alternative, the peace of mind of a hydro power system is a big benefit (Diablo 3 Gold).