Your idea is good, Marissa. It could use a bit of sharpen and contrast to separate the tones better. Those are minor items. It could have used more river bottom in the top area to enlarge the space with even fewer items, to accentuate more desolation.
The eye travels from the lower right to the upper left, and a bit more mud /sand is needed to allow the eye to complete it's elliptical travel back to the lead-in point and start all over again.
This reminds me of the place my son (when he was 5 years old) and I would play with little toy dinosaurs! Welcome to Caedes, I look forward to seeing more of your photos!!
I like the idea, and of course, the colour of the water and the sand is very good. Welcome to caedes, and I also look forward to more of your photos. Verena