I have decided on something after one of our member inquired about Gust of Wind.
Gust of Wind is an Evocation Spell, not Conjuration. That means it does not create wind, it creates the energy that manipulates the wind. That said, I would have no problems allowing that energy to, instead, push the water, but it’s not that simple, says physics.
Water is is much more dense than air, so pushing it takes more effort. So, you’re not going to be pushing the water even half as hard as you would be pushing the wind. In fact, looking at the wording of the rules, the Blast comes “from you”. I’d assume that means it would push you back if you tried to do it to a wall. So much air being thrown in front of you, only to be stopped by a wall, may not be enough to knock you down, but there would be some pushback. That is, after all, what jet turbines do.
So in that spirit, I would say that, since Water is thicker than air and you are less heavy in the water, effectively in a weightless environment, Gust of Wind would move the water away from you...but it would move you away from the water even more. This wouldn’t really be effective in a fight.
But it would be hella awesome during travel, or as an escape. You basically become a torpedo for 1 minute. I’ll have to think about the stats on that. I’m thinking you move 60 ft in a straight line per round you have it going. It does only make a 60 ft wall, after all. But that’s 60 ft without spending your movement for 1 minute. If you also moved, it would be 90 ft per round, and that’s just for normal movements. Rogues could get another 30 ft with a bonus Action, as long as they don’t change direction, which costs a bonus Action.
So there you have it. Tritons get this as a once a day Spell. They basically have a Get-Outta-Dodge-Free Spell.