Exploring the Hoover Dam
Hot dam, Hoover Dam! This thing is yuuuuuuge!
The dam was built in 1931 and was opened to the public in 1936. It took them 5 years to make this — in the 1930s and during the Great Depression! That’s actually amazing. They named it after President Herbert Hoover. Great guy. Not really. People blamed him for the Great Depression even though it’s not entirely his fault, but I digress.
The dam sits between the Arizona and Nevada border and is powered by the mighty Colorado River. It generates electricity through hydroelectric power. It powers the states of Arizona, Nevada, and California. Thanks, Colorado River!
More than a million tourists visit this magnificent feat every year. They also hold guided tours. We booked the Powerplant Tour (first come first serve).
During the tour, they will make you watch a short video presentation. Afterward, you’ll get on a 70-second ride down an elevator.
A 30 ft-diameter pipe connected to the generators
You’ll see one of the four pipes that transport water (90,000 gallons/second..!!) from Lake Mead to the generators
Sign from inside the Powerplant
The generators
The second destination is the Nevada wing of the powerplant that houses the generators. It has 17 turbines that produce enough electricity to power 1.3 million homes. Clean energy, baby!
The tour ends at an exhibit center where you can find out more about the history of the dam.
Lake Mead
Outside you will find Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in America. It also serves as a popular recreation area for boating and fishing.
The dam is as tall as a 54-story building
Before you leave, make sure to check out the view from the Hoover Dam bypass.
Hoover Dam is definitely an engineering marvel worth checking out!
Hoover Dam video highlights:
References:
https://www.history.com/topics/hoover-damhttps://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/DamTour.html