Note: said society is preindustrial and has ample access to flowing water, but not fossil fuels or radioactive deposits. It also has access to mountain hot springs, which I thought could also be used as “batteries” during times when streams freeze. This last point is what set him off.
He also really hates wind turbines.
You might like the indie game Timberborne, which focuses on the lives of post apocalyptic beavers and in which water management is a major mechanic.
I own it actually. Been meaning to make time to give it another run since they added water physics. And yeah that was one of the main draws for me