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Did You Know This About The Hoover Dam?
Hoover Dam is definitely a sight to behold. An enormous structure of concrete, it is amazing to think about just how they were able to build it. It is located on the border of Nevada and Arizona, in the United States of America. If you ever get the chance to take a tour, you really should. It will leave a long-lasting impression on you.
How Was Hoover Dam Built?
Wedged in between the walls of Black Canyon, the dam stands over 726 feet tall. The length of its massive wall measures over 1,244 feet. Total amount of concrete used was 3.25 million cubic yards. The issue at the time was how to pour it without it expanding and cracking. Meticulously pouring it into a wooden honeycomb of columns solved the problem.
It was not always known as Hoover Dam. The original name was Boulder Dam because the structure was slated to be built in Boulder Canyon. President Herbert Hoover is the one who authorized its construction and it's his name that the dam honors today. The dam's creation was during the Great Depression of the United States and cost $49 million to build. Many were angered by Hoover's decision to build the dam during a recession.
More Than 100 Men Perished!
The Hoover Dam was a major public-works project and employed thousands of workers during its construction. It took a total of five years to create, from 1931 to 1936. There were a total of 112 deaths caused by dangerous working conditions, rockslides and harsh weather. A memorial is located at the dam dedicated to the men who gave their life building it.
The dam was built to block the Colorado River in order to regulate its flow. Large turbines absorb the force of the river as it passes through them creating electricity. A byproduct of the dam is Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the U.S. The lake is a great place for recreational boating, swimming and fishing. It also provides drinking water to the city of Las Vegas.
4 Billon KiloWatts!
California, Arizona and Nevada all receive electricity from this epic dam. The Colorado River and the Hoover Dam's Herculean generators combine to produce over four billion kilowatts of electricity a year. The type of power it produces is called hydroelectric power.
The dam's base is 660-feet wide. The wall narrows on its way upward, measuring 45 wide at the crest. The top of the dam used to be a fully functioning highway that connected Arizona and Nevada. Due to national security concerns, the highway is open only to pedestrians. Traffic now is diverted to the spectacular Hoover Dam Bridge just south of the dam.
Hoover Dam Tours
It is a major tourist attraction that's visited by over 1 million visitors a year. The United States government still to this day owns it.
The amazing Hoover Dam is extremely impressive. If you ever find yourself in Arizona or Nevada, you must go and take a look at it. This is definitely one of the many creations of man that will stand the test of time.
Have a GRAND day,
P.S. Unsure which tour company to use? Check out my Top 3 Hoover Dam air tour operators here.
