This will tell a story
Well, the giant aeolian cross-beds tell a pretty dramatic story, and it isn't one of water!
So we know for a fact that the water at Meridiani was NOT in the form of a permanent lake (unless, these are base-surge deposits from a vast volcanic eruption, or a nearby giant impact).
Seepage models look much better for Meridiani, and fit better in the context of Mars water budgets and thermal/chemical state.
But, I agree, the final picture and the final story will be beautiful and enthralling...