Yes Pete, it's probable that Mars had some water but this constant banging on about water here, streams there, floods somewhere else never stops for a moment to consider any other scenario.


 


As to there having been any life on Mars,any life there would have been bacterial, microscopic or very small at best.


 


It never "got old enough" to evolve very far before the conditons became impossible.



It's life Jim, but not as WE know it.
Live long and prosper.