How did the plains indians get water?

Answer 1

The Plains people were superbly adapted to life in what was a difficult and hostile environment. With very few trees available they used dried buffalo dung as an effective fuel for fires; they knew where all sources of water in an apparently dry landscape could be found.

In the far north, autumn (fall) rain water would collect in small depressions called "buffalo wallows", where those animals had created bowl-shaped hollows when rolling in the dust. Further south there were always small creeks and streams leading into the main rivers - if you knew where to find them. Horses needed frequent drinks of good water and would be able to detect a stream from a long distance away.

In the Crow country in south-central Montana, these small streams included Arrow Creek, Rosebud Creek, Rotten Sun Dance Lodge River, Woody Creek, Dipper Creek, Rotten Grass Creek, Warm Water Creek, Two Leggings Creek, Blue Creek, Buffalo Jumps Over the Bank River, Porcupine Creek and Red Lodge Creek.

A wise band chief would always set up camp along or near to one of these Creeks, except for very short periods during communal hunts when the band might be away from water for a few days - then they would carry water with them in buffalo bladders or other containers.

See link below for an image:

Answer 2

They got water from community wells they dug in the ground.