>>601404Finding water is something the human brain evolved to do reasonably well. Just consider the properties of water / precipitation:
1. It usually goes towards the lowest elevation it can. In sandy / gravelly areas, this is well beneath your feet. Smarter men than I can dig shallow wells in streambeds and the like and find it, but I wouldn't count on it. As such, you're better looking near the bases of rock outcrops where the rock encounters an impermeable layer and is forced to the surface. You can also sometimes find fresh (enough) springs maintained by hydrostatic pressure next to saline lakes, but generally speaking, large open valleys aren't your friend.
2. It supports plant growth. If you see a nice ribbon of green in the landscape, there's a good chance of finding water there. Especially if they're broadleaved trees (cottonwoods, etc.), since junipers are the tree you would normally expect to encounter in non-riparian zones.
3. Precipitation often occurs when air is forced to cool as it goes over a high obstacle. As such, your chance of being able to find that water at the base of a hill increases with the height of the hill.
Or you could just bring a map. Any math worth your shiny shekels will show streams and springs.