So far this year we have stayed above 0F with the exception of just a couple of nights and as such while the creeks have frozen I have developed 2 springs on the property back in the 1970s and they have never frozen.  One of them got covered with 30 feet of snow in the blizzard of 1978 but when we got a path opened up to it it was flowing freely.

The only time I need water fountains is if I have cattle confined and on feed.  I have 3 ritchie fountains that work great but for the last few years they are only used for a month or so at weaning time and then they are drained and shut off as I don't want to spend the money to keep them warm. My wife calles me "cheap" and I'm proud of it!