
Hoover Dam, Nevada
As we were in Las Vegas, I wanted to visit the Hoover Dam, as it seemed quite imposing.
Hoover Dam is a concrete dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 in four years time and was completed more than two years ahead of schedule. Isn’t it something?
Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one hundred lives. The dam was named after President Herbert Hoover.
The dam controls floods, provide irrigation water and produce hydroelectric power.
Such a large concrete structure had never been built before, and some of the techniques were unproven. Families moved to the desolate area in the desert. The dry summer eather and the lack of facilities near the site also presented difficulties.
The dam’s generators provide power for public and private utilities in Nevada, Arizona, and California. Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction; nearly a million people tour the dam each year. I can recommend it, it is absolutely great.