Hoover Damn NV & AZ

The Hoover Dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess. It is an impressive structure that not only provides hydroelectric power but also helps control flooding and provides water for irrigation and municipal use. The sheer size and scale of the dam are awe-inspiring, making it a must-see destination for many travelers. However, the title of tallest concrete arch dam has since been surpassed, showing that even the most impressive feats of human engineering can eventually be surpassed.

The project was a monumental engineering feat, with the dam reaching a height of 726 feet and stretching over 1,244 feet across the canyon. As a result, it created Lake Mead, one of the world's largest artificial lakes that extends 115 miles upstream from its source. The Hoover Dam continues to provide electricity and water to millions of people in the surrounding areas, making it a vital part of the US infrastructure.

Its base consists of the same amount of concrete and materials used to construct two football fields.  It can be said that the amount of water flowing over Niagara Falls can be handled by each spillway. 

When the lake is full, there is enough water to cover the entire state of Michigan up to a depth of ten feet. The dam is 1,244 feet long. From the foundation’s lowest point to its top, it rises 726 feet. The dam has a base thickness of 660 feet and a top thickness of 45 feet. That we were excited to drive across.

However, despite its impressive engineering and contributions to electricity generation, the Hoover Dam is not without its risks and dangers. For many years, and still today, its reservoir served as the largest artificial lake in the entire world. More than 600 minor earthquakes were caused in the late 1930s due to the reservoir’s enormous water collection, deforming the earth’s crust under its immense weight. There were tremors in the Boulder City region and as far away as Las Vegas in 1936 and 1937 as the water level behind Hoover Dam increased. This would be quite scary! I am not sure if I have enough faith in our engineers to be able to go through 600 minor earthquakes and be confident enough to know without a doubt that the Hoover dam was not going to tumble down.

I have never heard the words Dead pool in reference to water levels, until we visited the Hoover Dam. I thought it was a movie from the late 1980’s with Clint Eastwood. But in actuality Dead Pool would mean no hydropower, no water supply. So there are 40 million people who rely on the Colorado River daily and if there's no water coming through The Hoover Dam that affects the water supply for 40 million people. And we're talking about the Great Western cities, southwestern cities. We're talking about farmers and we are talking about California that produces about 90% of our salads over the winter months. This would be detrimental to our food supply! I was also told by the Rangers we have been in a drought for around 20 plus years.

💙If you have made it this far, Thank you for reading my Blog!!💙