How to Build a Salt Evaporation Pond

Also called saltern ponds, salt evaporation ponds allow you to naturally harvest salt from water by evaporation. Once the water evaporates, the salt will remain on the bottom of the pond. Creating a salt evaporation pond allows you to collect sea salt from water you collect from the ocean. You can create the pond using common and inexpensive items found at home improvement stores.

2 2-by-6 wood boards, 6 feet long
2 2-by-6 wood boards, 10 feet long
1-inch wood screws
Power drill
4 metal corner braces
Gaffer's tape
Black plastic sheeting
Staples
Staple gun

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the boards on their side to create a 10-by-6 rectangle. The two 6-foot boards are the top and bottom of the pond, while the two 10-foot boards are the sides.
- 2
  Attach the ends of the boards together by screwing 1-inch wood screws into a metal corner brace at each corner of the pond. Place gaffer's tape over the metal braces to prevent them from tearing the plastic.
- 3
  Lay black plastic sheeting over the pond frame. Pull black the plastic tight enough that it goes across the entire frame while keeping it loose enough so the middle of the plastic touches the ground.
- 4
  Secure the edge of the plastic sheeting at the wood near the metal corner brace with staples and a staple gun.
- 5
  Wrap the black plastic around the top of the wood frame and secure the edging with black gaffer's tape. Use one long, continuous piece of tape for each side of the pond, as well as the top and bottom.
- 6
  Staple the top, bottom and sides of the plastic to the wood frame with staples and a staple gun.
- 7
  Place the salt evaporation pond in a sunny location. Strain the water first before adding it to the pond to remove any debris. Fill the pond 2 inches deep with the strained water and wait. It typically takes several days, or even weeks, for the water to evaporate.

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