This is always a problem I think. One thing that helps is multiple lines to show changing elevation, you can even make them get wider at the top and thinner near the bottom in homage to the old school icons used on D&D maps. I did some of that with this map I don't know that I succeeded any more than you but you can at least compare what you like more or less about it. Your water definitely gets the idea across and I like the hand drawn lines you've done on sections of the map.