The Hoover Dam is discovered on the Arizona Nevada border in the black canyon of the Colorado river. It is one of the largest visited destinations in the U.S. Usually 7 million visitors come here annually. Hoover Dam construction started going on in 1931 and took 5 years to complete in 1936. In addition to controlling floods, the Hoover Dam also provides other key functions to include supplying irrigation water, maintaining water supply, and generating hydro-electricity.
When it constructs the Hoover dam, it becomes a lake. It is the largest man made lake in the world. Which length approx 115 miles and the surface area is 600,000 acres. Agricultural irrigation is the one benefit of the dam. Its associated structure generates over 2,000 megawatts of electricity and more than one half of the power is consumed by residents of southern California.
The dam provides recreational opportunities on-site, both for those who visit the dam and for those who visit other attractions close to it. Because of the size, location, and abundance of attractions surrounding the dam, it has become one of the top ten most popular tourist attractions in the United States and is frequently visited by 7 million people a year. Today it is located approximately 30 miles south of Las Vegas. In this article we discuss history, fact and features and many more.
History of Hoover Dam
In 1931 the USA was struck by the Great Depression. As such many thousands of men traveled to Boulder Canyon in southern Nevada looking for work as to where to build a very large dam on the Colorado River. On the Colorado River the building of the dam had already been in plans as a means to curb the flooding of the Colorado River and for the management of the flows. and the secondary purpose was to produce electricity for Boulder City before California and to supply electricity to preserve the states of Nevada and Arizona. The first task in the construction of the dam involved driving tunnels into the sides of the canyon and running water from the Colorado River into the tunnels allowing construction to begin on the dam.
Today, Hoover Dam is classified as a National Historic Landmark and continues to supply water to its consumers while producing electric energy and preserving the beauty of the dam as a record of the labor provided to build this extraordinary feat of engineering and construction. One of the greatest works of history is preserved at the Hoover Dam for all future generations of people.
Hoover Dam’s Engineering Facts & Features
The Hoover Dam became a hope of making an ionic structure and a symbol of innovation while making a great human achievement. It always attracts a million of visitors world wide who come to praise history.
Here are some facts & Features of Hoover Dam
Building During the Great Depression
When Hoover Dam construction started, that was the worst economic period in American History, the great Depression. Thousands of men found work and they travelled to Nevada during that time. The dam was completed in 1936 in a two year schedule and symbolized the strength and determination of the entire journey.
It Required 90 million cubic feet of concrete
Another interesting fact about Hoover dam is it used over 90 million cubic feet of concrete in a dam. Which is a highway from San Francisco to New York city. Engineers decided to prevent concrete from cracking. The concrete is smaller in size and installed a cooler in the pipe that made it possible to complete the project of this magnitude.
The creation of lake meade
Hoover Dam built not just the dam but also Lake Mead, the largest lake in the USA at over 110 miles long and currently supplying water to Nevada, Arizona, and California. Lake Mead also offers some of the best areas for recreation like fishing, hiking, and scenery to experience completely differently from the viewpoint above the dam.
It generate creates clean power for millions
Hoover Dam produces about 4 billion of hydroelectric power every year. It is a very cool fact about. This power supports over 1 million people in three different states. With the help of 17 turbine engines, they continuously produce sustainable energy showing the continuous value of creative Engineers.
Once in the tallest dam in the world
When it was completed in 1936, Hoover Dam was the tallest dam on the earth at 726 feet high. Today, it is among the largest dams on the planet and brings millions of tourists each year from around the globe to visit and admire the architecture of this incredible structure and view the beautiful landscapes that surround the Hoover Dam, including the Colorado River and Black Canyon below the dam.
Over 2000 workers built it
The workers are dedicated and more than 2000 people work effectively even in incredible conditions, extreme weather conditions, dust and long hours. This dedication together is a very bold idea built and continues to inspire engineers and constructors all over the world.
Things to Do Near
There are a lot of things to do near Hoover Dam. Here are top three attraction places when you visit Hoover Dam then these Hoover Dam near places out can forget it. When you go once, you must visit again and again.
Builder city
Builder city is a small town charm mixed with funky vibes. It is a different world than Las Vegas. Builder city is a perfect position to access southern Nevada top spot for scenery near Hoover Dam. which makes feel free. It has many trails that lead to adventure. Discover mom – and – pop restaurants, shopping and local favourites around town. Here is a fun filled local route where you don’t forget to miss out their history by exploring the areas and boutique shopping experience. Vintage shops that have something for everyone. You will also enjoy it there.
Mike O’ Callaghan- Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
It is discovered in the Lake Mead Recreation Area. You will enjoy wonderful vistas of Hoover Dam. It is a great distance across Carolado on Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Additionally the bridge is a wing with a height of 900 feet and is the second tallest bridge in America. It crosses from Arizona to Nevada. It was built from the Hoover Dam Bypass in 2010 and is open for visitors. That offers a truly unique view that is one of the most recognized attractions in the world.
Leake Mead National Recreation Area
The lake of the National area offers a wide lake. It is best for swimmers, boaters and fishermen. While its desert is good for hikers, photographers and sightseers. This landscape mainly leads three of the nation’s four desert ecosystems. This apparently barren area contains a multiple variety of plants and animals. Some are which may be found nowever else in the world.
Some other activities near Hoover Dam
- Biking: River Mountains Loop Trail Bike Rentals: All Mountain in Boulder City
- Kayak Tours of Lake Mead: Blazin’ Paddles, Boulder City
- Hiking in the area.
- Explore the Hoover Dam Bypass.
- Colorado river raft trip.
Best Time to Visit Hoover Dam
The fall months of September/October, November, and December will provide yet another opportunity to visit Hoover Dam/ Resort for a wonderful camping experience. During this typical weather condition of mild holiday periods, the opportunity to once again begin hiking on many of the “open” hiking trails/ routes, only to once again shut down in early summer.
Spring is unquestionably the best choice of the seasons to visit both Hoover DamVisitors to the Lake Mead region and Hoover Dam this year will experience many days with warm sunny weather that are good for walking or hiking around this scenic area.
If you will be determining which month you choose to visit the Hoover Dam, based only on how many other visitors will be at the Hoover Dam. The least number of visitors are found in January and February. This is determining if spring is the ideal time to experience in all its glory. Although during the coldest seasons you must carry on jackets or a light sweater since conditions can be windy if you will spend a lot of time.
Conclusion
The Hoover Dam was an audacious and fearless undertaking built during the great depression. It protects cities and farms and generates electricity to supply power to home and industry and provide thousands of jobs to unemployed persons. Hoover Dam is rightly the greatest victory of civil engineers in history. The construction of the Hoover Dam and its long-lasting ability to utilize the Colorado River’s water. It due to the coming together of exceptional individuals, as well as top-notch equipment and techniques. Many advancements in engineering, specifically civil construction, took place during the years leading up to the Hoover Dam’s building. These advancements resulted in the technology used to construct the dam. When you go there make sure that you click some pictures and learn lots of information after that doing lots of activities near Hoover Dam. We hope you enjoy a complete guide.