I've been randomly researching the history of irrigation, because it fascinates me and because I love looking into such things and thinking about how they interact with adventure design.
For example, early canals were often mud or dirt embnkments on both sides, and when you needed water from it, you literally dig a hole, then filled it back in when you are done.
Think about what happens when a monster starts living in one of those! So many interesting (non-dungeony) possibilities!