When Bruce DeFoor first purchased a property in Stevensville more than a decade ago, he didn’t imagine it would lead to the region’s only dedicated pond restoration business. He simply wanted to clean up the pond in his backyard.
“It was full of invasive weeds and muck,” DeFoor recalls. “Everyone told me to just spray my pond with herbicides. But I didn’t want to dump poison into the water where fish, wildlife, and my family gathered.”
That decision—to find a better way—sparked the beginning of Blue Moose Ponds, LLC, which now celebrates its 10th anniversary as the leading company in ecological pond restoration across western Montana.
They are endorsed by the Ravalli County Weed District as the only company they recommend for invasive pond weed issues.
Unlike companies that rely on chemicals, the business built its reputation on hard work and environmentally sound methods. From their custom-built aquatic rakes to a state-of-the-art remote-control floating harvester, the company designs and fabricates many of its own tools to tackle problems that plague ponds. Their approach is rooted in a simple philosophy: ponds, like lawns, need regular maintenance to stay healthy.
The Weed Gator.
“Some people are surprised when we explain that ponds require just as much care as the rest of their property,” said Tim Farmer, who joined Blue Moose in 2023 and now serves as company president. “A pond can be one of the most beautiful and valuable parts of a property, but without proper upkeep, it can quickly turn into a stagnant, weed-filled mess.”
Pond ownership is a rare privilege—one that few get to experience. But with that privilege comes an inherent responsibility: to care for and maintain the pond in a way that ensures its health and vibrancy for generations to come. Whether it’s supporting local wildlife or preserving water quality, ponds are ecosystems that require ongoing attention to thrive. Those who own them are entrusted with a unique opportunity to protect and enhance this valuable resource.
One of Blue Moose’s signature techniques is applying a proprietary blend of aerobic bacteria that digests the black muck at the bottom of ponds—a major culprit in algae blooms and invasive weed growth. The team installs thousands of gallons of BIO’s per month in ponds from Whitefish to Sula, averaging between 50 and 275 gallons per pond depending on the size and condition. Combined with installing complete aeration systems that greatly improve oxygen levels for fish and other wildlife, they work together to restore balance to aquatic ecosystems.
The company’s growth has been steady and deeply local. Under Farmer’s leadership, along with his wife Sabrina, Blue Moose Ponds has tripled its reach, restoring more than 150 ponds across the Bitterroot Valley. The company also prides itself on hiring and retaining Montana employees.
From backyard water features to sprawling ranch ponds, Blue Moose Ponds has built its business around solving problems most property owners don’t have the time—or the expertise—to handle. It’s never too late to start, and late-season clean-outs are being scheduled now. Without a thorough clean-out, pond weeds just die over the winter and sink to the bottom, causing even more of a muck problem.
The Blue Moose Ponds crew.
For DeFoor, now serving as vice president, it’s a far cry from that first overgrown pond. “We’ve come a long way,” he said. “But our mission is still the same: to keep Montana ponds clean, healthy, and alive for our grandchildren to enjoy.”
As the company enters its second decade, the team shows no signs of slowing down. For pond owners with questions, Farmer encourages one simple step: “Give us a call. We’ll help you bring it back to life.”
For a free visit and appraisal of your pond or water feature, Blue Moose Ponds can be reached at (406) 318-7788.