Crossword Genius

Rower principally operating on a river (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oar

'rower' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'principally operating on a river' is the wordplay.
'principally' suggests taking the first letters.
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for river).
The initial letter of 'operating' is 'o'.
'o'+'a'+'r'='OAR'

(Other definitions for oar that I've seen before include "Propelling blade" , "Boat propellant" , "Bladed pole" , "spoon?" , "One paddling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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