At hour 9 the river is 18 feet deep.
At hour 18 the river is 21 feet deep.
From 9 to 18 hours is 9 hours difference.
From 18 to 21 feet is a 3 foot difference.
The average rate of change is the change in depth divided by the change in time:
3 feet / 9 hours = 0.3 feet per hour. ( Rounded to the nearest tenth)