Hoover Dam

About

Hoover Dam is a monumental hydroelectric dam located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between Nevada and Arizona. Constructed between 1931 and 1936, it was one of the largest man-made structures in the world at the time, standing 726 feet tall and requiring over 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete. The dam's construction provided crucial employment during the Great Depression, drawing thousands of workers who faced extreme conditions and innovative engineering challenges. The dam serves multiple purposes, including flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. It created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, which plays a vital role in managing water supply and providing electricity to millions. The dam's design incorporates a gravity-arch structure, and its construction involved diverting the Colorado River through diversion tunnels. Today, Hoover Dam remains a testament to American engineering and a popular tourist destination, attracting over 7 million visitors annually.