The water damage caused by humid and rainy environments has become a critical issue threatening the long-term preservation of cave temples in Sichuan and Chongqing. By integrating historical documents and cliff-surface relics, this study systematically reviews the traditional water-control measures adopted during the construction or restoration of cave temples in this region, revealing a scientific and systematic approach to addressing water damage. The research indicates that the core of traditional water-management wisdom lies in the holistic planning adapted to the cliff topography and the combined application of multiple measures. These methods can be categorized into three main types: the first is blocking, which involves constructing protective cave-eave structures, skillfully designing the roof forms of the niches, and digging internal drainage tunnels to physically isolate statues from direct water impact; the second is diversion and drainage, which entails scientifically building intercepting gutters, drainage channels, and underground conduits on the cliff surfaces and floors, both inside and outside the niches, to guide and discharge unintercepted surface runoff and seepage; the third is ingenious utilization, which integrates seepage points that are difficult to eliminate with iconographic themes (such as the Nine Dragons Bathing the Prince) or practical facilities (such as wells), thereby transforming water damage into scenic or functional value. These measures are not applied in isolation but are coordinated on the scale of the entire cave-temple complex, forming a three-dimensional waterproof network that extends from the cliff top to the cave interior, and from blocking to drainage. An in-depth study and reference to these traditional practices offer valuable insights for guiding contemporary conservation of cave temples, particularly in implementing the modern principles of holistic planning, site-specific adaptation, and minimal intervention in water damage management.