Evaporation ponds are seen at the Intrepid Potash Mine in Moab, Utah, USA. The mine produces muriate of potash, a potassium-containing salt used widely by farmers in fertilizer. The salt is pumped to the surface from underground brines and dried in massive solar ponds that vibrantly extend across the landscape. As the water evaporates over the course of 300 days, the salts crystallize out. So why are you seeing such vibrant colors? The water is dyed with these vibrant colors to reduce the amount of time it takes for the potash to crystallize; darker water absorbs more sunlight so it gets hotter and the water evaporates quicker.