So, to begin, this might be way too big an ask, and I expect that if this was added it wouldn't be added for a long long time, but a reworking of water in the game could deepen farming and the game in general significantly.
As it is farming is mostly a hands off process, set up your plots, irrigate, fence it in, bobs you're uncle. Obviously there's some stuff that has to be done, like finding or making good soil, but once that's done its a very passive process.
What I'm suggesting is a rework for both world generation and systems, limited water, evaporation, flooding, the whole shebang.
I've been thinking about how fun it would be to have to work for your water, building reservoirs, wells, rice patties, just deepening everything around water. Maybe this could come with thirst? I know that one is suggested a lot, and I'm not sure how fun a mechanic it actually would be, but just throwing out ideas while I've got you here.
Obviously I'm not expecting erosion and recharge and perfect fluid simulation, but I think it would be so cool to have more functionality around water! Give it some love! We're like 60% it.
Other things I think would be fun is progressive slowing as you enter deeper water, varying depths of water to facilitate flooding and maybe river crossings Oregon Trail style, more realistic water flow which ties into both of those again, aquifers, clay and metal pipes, corrosion...?? (just thought of that one and I think it would rule)
Any other ideas this sparked post below, I hope others can get down with the idea too.
