1 word to describe Hoover Dam… WOW!
I heard people say that the Hoover Dam is the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’… and I would have to agree! {Im not quite sure if this is a fact but it is amazing to see and learn about the history.}
If you are ever in Vegas, I HIGHLY recommend taking a road trip out of the City to visit the Hoover Dam. Once there, be sure to take the guided tour… It is absolutely astonishing!
a few fun facts:
Hoover Dam is 726 feet high and it is 1,244 feet long.
Hoover Dam was the world’s highest and most powerful dam until 1948.
It contains 4,400,000 cubic yards of concrete.
When Hoover Dam was finished in 1936 it was the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. It was also the world’s largest concrete structure at the time.
When Hoover Dam was built it cost $49 million. Today it would cost $811 million to build the same dam.
Lake Mead is the name of the reservoir at Hoover Dam. It is the largest (by volume) reservoir in the United States.
Finally, except for hydroelectric power… I learned that the dam is used for flood and silt control, agricultural irrigation, and domestic water supply.
And although I’m in awe of the engineering behind the Hoover Dam… I’m most curious about the Dam’s impact on the Colorado River flow, flooding, wildlife habitats and the changing of the landscape down stream.
I plan to visit the Dam again and learn more about the impact to the surrounding areas.