water power

water power (usually uncountable, plural water powers)

1. (uncountable) Mechanical or electrical energy derived from running or falling water; originally obtained from a waterwheel immersed in a stream; modern hydroelectric power is obtained from turbines fed from reservoirs.
   • 1952 January, “Electrification Progress in Norway”, in Railway Magazine, page 54:

     Advantage has been taken of the abundant natural water-power resources (which compensate, to a large extent, for the absence of coal) and some 660 route miles have been electrified with overhead conductors.

2. (countable) A site capable of generating power or the right to use a site to generate power.
3. The capacity to shoot water, as from a fire hose or squirt gun
   • 1988 October 14, Bill Wyman, “Fire and Water”, in Chicago Reader‎^[1]:

     Fire trucks were parked everywhere: a new arrival was being carefully backed around the stacked pallets to add some new waterpower.

• (all senses): waterpower

• (mechanical or electrical power derived from water): hydropower

• hydroelectricity