Did you know that the United States is home to more than 92,000 dams? These structures generate energy and help control, store and supply water. They also make artificial lakes called reservoirs which provide water for household use.
The Hoover Dam, in turn, is among the country’s tallest dams, standing He is 726 feet tall. It is the second tallest dam in the US, only 44.5 feet shorter than the 770.5 foot high Oroville Dam in California. It contains an astonishing 4.4 million cubic meters of concrete.
No trip to Arizona or Nevada is complete without a tour of the Hoover Dam.
To that end, we have created this guide of the most interesting and must-know facts about the Hoover Dam. Read on to find out about its history, why you should visit it, and what to bring with you on your trip.
Colorado River Tamer
The Hoover Dam, which is in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, is between Arizona and Nevada.
Before the dam was built, the Colorado River flooded Arizona and California. It’s at all times been mighty and loud, considering how it created the Grand Canyon. It was this flood that gave birth to the Salton Sea.
Unfortunately, the flood also affected nearby homes and farms, forcing people to flee. That triggers government officials to consider and come up with a flood prevention plan.
In 1918, government engineer Arthur Davis proposed building a dam to tame the river. He named it the Boulder Canyon Project.
It took ten years for the project to receive approval. It wasn’t until December 1928 that then President Coolidge allowed it.
From 1930 to 1936, done 21,000 workers clattered loudly to finish construction of the Hoover Dam. Upon completion, the structure was (and still is) able to tame the once wild Colorado River.
National Historic Site
The Hoover Dam contributed to the development of several cities. That includes Las Vegas, NV, Phoenix, AZ, and Los Angeles, California.
Dam turbines can produce so much hydroelectric power that it can power 1.3 million House. The water it supplies also irrigates millions of acres.
So, it is no wonder the Hoover Dam is among the country’s National Historic Sites. It is also amongst the Seven Wonders of American Civil Engineering.
Amazing Photos Don’t Do Justice
Not even the most astonishing photograph of the Hoover Dam can capture its majesty because, one, it towers 726 feet. Two, it is 1,244 feet long.
That’s reason enough to take a trip or tour of the Hoover Dam, for you can only appreciate its majesty firsthand.
Plus, visiting the Hoover Dam lets you admire Instagrammable Lake Mead. It is a reservoir formed by a monolithic structure. You can enjoy astonishing views, hiking trails, swimming beaches and picnic areas here.
45 Minute Drive From Vegas Strip
If you are in Las Vegas, do yourself a favor and drive the 45 minutes from the Strip to the Hoover Dam. Just 30+ easy miles will offer you access to one of the world’s greatest engineering wonders. Plus, there’s plenty of free parking (on both the Arizona and Nevada sides).
By the way, visiting the dam is free; You haven’t got to pay to enter, walk, or drive through. However, tours inside the dam and a few parking areas are subject to additional fees.
Tours of the Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees the Hoover Dam, cost between $10 and $30. A self-guided visitor center tour costs $10. Guided power plant tours sell for $15, while guided dam tours cost $30.
The first two tours are available online; You can only buy the third one on the spot.
Lots of Hoover Dam Tours From Las Vegas
If you do not want to drive, your best bet is to order one Hoover Dam Tour from Vegas. However, watch out when you choose one, as some tours advertising “stops” at the dam do not stop there. Instead, they will just take you to the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.
Also called the Bridge Overlook, this is without a doubt a wonderful arch bridge. It provides an excellent view of the second tallest dam in the US, but it isn’t the Hoover Dam.
So when choosing a tour, check to see if a ride and walk across the Hoover Dam is part of the package. You can even book a spot to visit the inside of the dam’s power plant and the visitor center.
If that’s not fun enough for you, book a Vegas tour that includes a trip to the Grand Canyon West. Better yet, take a full day tour of the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon West, and the Seven Magic Mountains.
Safety first
Concrete, which is made up of cement, aggregate and water, can get very hot in the sun. That’s why dams, including the Hoover Dam, can get very hot, particularly in summer. Don’t forget that the second tallest dam is located near the desert.
So, it is no wonder the temperature of the Hoover Dam can soar up over 100°F in spring and summer. For the same reason, please wear loose and comfy sun protection clothing. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and wear UV protective sunglasses.
Bring and drink lots of water too, to avoid dehydration. If you have service animals with you, please take them to the dam and don’t leave them in your car. The dam allows service animals but not pets.
If you are going on a tour, choose one that arrives at the dam early, between 9 and 10am. Alternatively, you can get a newer one, preferably from 4pm onwards. At times like these, temperatures can be more tolerable and visitors tend to be fewer.
Visit the Great Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is such a masterpiece of engineering 7 million people visit it every year. It is also a testament to how hardworking Americans are. Plus, it is less than an hour’s drive from the Vegas Strip, and everybody, from kids to adults, will love it.
All of that should be enough to encourage you to take a self-guided journey into this monolithic structure.
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