Water sources // drought

Looking at an off-grid property in Central VT, pretty high altitude (about 2000 ft). The property has a cabin that is spring fed and while I understand it has kept flowing in the two years the owner's had it, it is not just run dry in late June. We were counting on this for water so are concerned, and are trying to consider options.

Basically, it looks like digging or drilling a new, deeper well will be necessary for more reliable water. However, the property is off-grid and there is some power (solar), but not a ton now. Not enough for an electric pump to run consistently, I think. And this is even putting aside the costs of drilling.

Basically, I'm not sure when or why it'd be better to drill or dig. Any input is appreciated. Ask me any needed questions, I'll try to answer as best I can!

If I were in this situation, I would look into a rain catchment system.  We have an off-grid property in West Texas where we have the opportunity to buy drinking water though we have a 750-gallon tank to catch rainwater and this is plumbed into the water system to use for bathing, etc.

We have a forum devoted to that subject where you will find some good info:

https://permies.com/f/105/rainwater

Here is a thread that might help:

https://permies.com/t/117453/rain-water-collection-irrigation-advice#953516

How exactly is the 'spring fed' happening. Is more water available in the winter than is needed? If so, I would consider getting a *really* large storage tank that you fill from the spring during the wet season to have available for the dry season. Depending on the slopes available, you might be able to arrange to buy or build an in-ground tank that would still gravity feed and then you'd have less concern about it freezing.

If you were really creative, you might be able to combine an in-ground tank with a cold cellar for good food storage.

At that altitude, I'm assuming winters are pretty cold?  Could you freeze large blocks of ice and store it packed in straw for summer use like they used to do as a major business, but now I think only the Amish do it?

Certainly doing some rainwater catchment as Ann suggests makes sense - there's no reason you can't try several approaches. My friend lived in her grandmother's 100 year old farmhouse with no inside plumbing and rainwater was used for hand washing and clothes washing, and their small well was used for cooking/drinking.

As someone who has 2 very deep wells, they're expensive to own and operate and depending on your geology, they may not be all that reliable. We know of a house we looked at whose deep well has been re-dug at least three times in the last 20 years. When they work they're great, but still take a lot of electricity to operate.

Rainwater catchment for all uses, including drinking is a subject I have been teaching for years.
In Australian regional areas its very common.
My signature contains a link to a Permies page on the matter.
Underground tanks need to be concrete so the sides are not pushed in by the ground.
Large tanks to carry over summer may need to be 20,000L depending on useage.

If there is a basement, a tank could be installed there to prevent freezing.

Definitely interested in some kind of catchment system. I know little about them but will read up.

The spring is gravity-fed to the cabin, which is great, if it's reliable.

I could also try digging another well / finding another spring, above the cabin. It seems plausible there is another. This summer is uniquely dry but obviously, going forward, seasonal fluctuations are increasingly unpredictable. As I mentioned, in the past, the current spring has been pretty reliable.

You're looking at between 40 and 50 inches of rain annually for most places in Vermont. Even assuming a small house (20x20 roof) and 30 inches in a drought year you can collect upwards of 7000 gallons.  Area of the roof * inches * .6 [400*30*.6]. Collect that water! Find some way to collect it, and find ways to use your soil "water bank" so you don't have to water outside. Collect water also off of any other structures. Learn to use water as many times as possible, first as culinary, then secondary (fishtanks, plantings, hydroponics), then black (flushing toilets) if you take it that far.

Chicken coop should "harvest" its own water, and so on.

Check the published geologic and hydrologic information in your area.  Start with ANR Dept. Of Environmental Conservation.  They work for you, use them to help you with options.  Good luck and report back what you find.