Hoover Dam: History and Fascinating Facts

What Makes Hoover Dam Unique?

Hoover Dam is one of the tallest dams in the world and a powerful hydroelectric plant. Tourists and locals alike visit to witness the incredible scale of the construction, enjoy boating, swimming, and fishing.

This colossal structure, widely recognized as one of the greatest engineering achievements in history, was officially named Hoover Dam in honor of Herbert Hoover's role in its construction. It's a truly fascinating and engaging site that adults and children alike enjoy for its sheer size and significance.

You must see it — it will reveal a new side of American culture and history.

Why Hoover Dam Was Built

Hoover Dam is used to control flooding on the lower Colorado River. The storage and delivery of river water from Lake Mead is also an integral part of the dam's purpose, as it provides reliable water supplies for irrigation in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

The dam provides affordable hydroelectric power to the states of Nevada, Arizona, and California. It generates over four billion kilowatt-hours per year and is one of the largest hydroelectric facilities in the U.S. The revenue from electricity sales covers all operational and maintenance costs.

The Beginning of Construction

In the early 20th century, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation developed a plan to build a massive dam on the border between Arizona and Nevada. The primary goal was to tame the Colorado River and provide water and hydroelectric power to the Southwest. Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover brokered the 1922 Colorado River Compact to allocate water among seven states proportionally.

In honor of his contribution, Interior Secretary Ray Wilbur announced at the 1930 groundbreaking ceremony that the structure would be named Hoover Dam, although it was officially named Boulder Dam until 1947.

1. 01.The first complex stage of construction was treating the canyon walls to create four diversion tunnels for water. Confronted with tight deadlines, workers toiled in the tunnels, inhaling carbon monoxide and dust, leading to a six-day strike in August 1931.
2. 02.The second challenging step was clearing the retaining walls. Workers used 44-pound jackhammers and steel rods to dislodge loose material — a treacherous task that resulted in casualties from falling workers, equipment, and rocks.

Meanwhile, the dry riverbed allowed the construction of a power plant, four intake towers, and the dam itself. The plant's design featured futuristic elements with Art Deco styling, and its interior paid homage to Native American culture.

The power plant began operation on September 12, 1936.

Interesting Facts About the Dam

• Hoover Dam was the most expensive engineering project in U.S. history at the time of its construction, costing $49 million. Adjusted for inflation, it would now cost about $700 million.
• The dam used 5 million barrels of cement and 45 million pounds of reinforcing steel. Approximately 20,000 workers contributed to its construction.
• The dam rises 726 feet and spans 1,200 feet at the crest. The base is 660 feet thick, and creating the retaining wall required 91.8 billion cubic feet of concrete.
• Today, it has 17 turbines that can produce about four billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power over a million people in the southwestern United States.
• The dam has appeared in several films, most notably in Alfred Hitchcock's "Saboteur," where it is depicted as a potential terrorist target. Bureau of Reclamation officials require that films portraying Hoover Dam do not depict it as posing a danger to people.

What to See and Do

Hoover Dam offers numerous opportunities for a fascinating experience. If you're planning to visit Hoover Dam, the first place to start your journey is the Visitor Center. Here, you will get basic information about the site and learn about upcoming activities.

Tours

Tours of the dam include visits to observation decks with breathtaking views of Lake Mead and the Colorado River canyon. Guides will tell you about the history and construction of the dam and show you the inner workings and generators.

The Discovery Tour includes everything related to the power plant tour but limits group size to 20 people and spends more time inside the structure. Tours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round.

Museum

The museum showcases exhibits on the dam's construction, its significance to the region, and its role in U.S. history.

Hiking

For hiking enthusiasts, there are trails leading to scenic views of the dam and surrounding landscapes.

How to Get to Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is located just 30 miles (about 50 kilometers) from Las Vegas and is easily accessible by car or organized tours. The drive takes about 45 minutes, making it an ideal day trip.