Haunted Hill Ruins Puzzle Solution

Overview

The Haunted Hill Ruins is an Ancient Ruins puzzle that requires draining water from a flooded area by operating two submerged mechanisms with the Nature's Snare skill.

Nature's Snare (found in the Spirit/green section of the Skill Tree). You must unlock this ability before attempting the puzzle.

Head to the first mechanism near the Abyss Cresset. This device is not submerged, so you can interact with it directly.
Activate Focus (press both analog sticks), then use Nature's Snare on the mechanism. Rotate the camera in a spinning motion to keep the mechanism turning. The water level will slowly drop as the mechanism spins.
Once the water stops draining from the first mechanism, cross to the second mechanism on the opposite side. Use pillars to avoid drowning in the remaining water.
Use the same Focus plus Nature's Snare technique on the second mechanism. Keep draining until a cutscene plays showing the Abyss Cresset unlocking.
Approach the Abyss Cresset container and claim your reward.

Nature's Snare consumes Spirit while active. Use Focus to regenerate Spirit if you run out mid-drain.
The spinning camera motion can feel awkward at first. You do not need to keep rotating once the character starts spinning their hand; the animation continues on its own for a while.
Be careful of the water depth when crossing to the second mechanism. Stick to the stone pillars to avoid drowning.

1 Abyss Artifact from the Abyss Cresset.