Explore the history of the most iconic dam in America, the Hoover Dam.
Hoover Dam is probably one of the most famous dams in the world. It draws thousands of visitors each year. Some go on tours and others just take a quick peak. I decided to really explore the damn and took the Dam Tour. (The tour guides are fantastic and work in an emphatic “dam” into their tours as much as possible.)
The Hoover Dam is so big that you can’t get it into one photo from the visitor center.
I came back on my way back to Arizona to take a picture from the new bridge.
Highway 93 used to cross right over the Hoover Dam. September 11th ended that practice, banning all oversized vehicles from crossing the dam. This severely affected transportation in the area, 93 being the only direct route from Las Vegas to Phoenix. So, a bypass was constructed. While driving over it, you can’t see anything, but you are allowed to walk on the bridge to get better views of the entire Hoover Dam.
The Hoover Dam was, of course, a controversial project. However, consistent flooding and lack of water to the large agricultural area south of the dam won out.
The best site for the dam was chosen, it featured high cliffs on both sides of the Colorado River. It took some time to formalize the plan after President Coolidge authorized it in 1928. Part of the problems were water rights and the fact that the dam had to cross state lines, Arizona and Nevada.
Construction on the Hoover Dam started in 1931 and finished two years early in 1936. Construction drew in workers from all over the country. It was a constant job source for years during and after completion, especially during the Great Depression.
The Hoover Dam has been a tourist attraction since even before it was finished. The builders knew what they had and worked in ways for the public could see it for themselves. Today, they offer two types of tours, the shorter Powerplant tour and the longer Dam Tour. I stuck with the Dam Tour for more explorations.
One of the stops is the Power Plant. The Power Plant has changed some since the early days, but it still has those all important generators that are powered by water released from the dam.
Line of generators on the Nevada side. The Hoover Dam supplies all its own electricity, which kind of makes sense. They have special smaller generators for this.
The power plants from above. Even the power plants are stylish.
The entire Hoover Dam was constructed in the modern (at the time) Art Deco style, which is awesome.
The Dam Tour goes down into the Dam itself. It is not all solid concrete; tunnels are all over the place.
One of the very curved tunnels through the dam.
One of the highlights is looking out one of the air ducts. If you hold your camera out, you get this awesome sight. (I made sure that my camera was strapped to my hand before I did this.)
While there are elevators in the dam, there still needs to be some staircases. I would not like to fall down these steep ones because there are only a couple platforms the entire way down to stop on.
The tour lets out at the top of the dam. There is Art Deco everywhere up here. This is one stylish dam. (I am not ashamed of my Art Deco obsession.)
Since I took a picture looking up the dam, I had to take a picture looking down. Pretty neat.
On the other side is Lake Mead, an artificial lake created by the Hoover Dam. The towers are intake towers that draw water in to fuel the generators. Lake levels are constantly changing and are determined by rainfall and snow melt. We had a really dry winter, leading to low lake levels. There is a spillway to handle overflow water. They have only been used a few times.
One of the coolest things are the elevator towers on the top of the dam. The frieze is inspired by Art Deco, along with the golden doors which lead to an awesome elevator waiting room. The frieze is dedicated to the Bureau of Reclamation’s, who runs the dam, mission: flood control, navigation, irrigation, water storage and power. The barriers are to stop idiots from getting out of their car on the top of the dam.
One of my favorite things is the tomb of the dam dog. He was their mascot, giving support to the workers, who worked long difficult days. He lived here well after the dam was finished. Unfortunately, he was killed in an accident.
The Hoover Dam is surprisingly full of history. The tours are great. It’s a must see if you find yourself in Las Vegas. It’s only a short drive away.
A peak at Lake Mead.
Check out my next update where I roast in Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas.
