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Explore an Engineering Marvel in the Hoover Dam

Not yet published by Jason Hussong, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

The Hoover Dam is a modern engineering marvel; the arch-gravity dam redistributes the force of nearly 45,000 pounds per square foot of pressure at the base of the dam back onto the Black Canyon's walls. Completed in 1936, two years ahead schedule and decades ahead of its time, the dam literally took an act of Congress - a marvel all its own - to complete. They authorized the project in 1928 after the location had been studied as a site to help prevent floods and produce hydroelectric power.

The Hoover Dam - weighing in at 6.6 million tons - is comprised of millions of pounds of materials. The more than five million barrels of cement, 45 millions pounds of reinforced steel, more than 94 million pounds of pipes at a lengthtof 840 miles, and millions of other materials, the Hoover Dam is a marvel simply in coordination and construction, as it holds back the four trillion gallons of water in total from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

In the process of construction, 112 workers lost their lives in accidents and scorching summer temperatures that averaged 120F (49C). Thousands more were employeed by six companies - the Six Companies, Inc. - and continued on and completed the Hoover Dam, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. It was once called the Boulder Dam, but was controversially renamed for President Herbert Hoover.

The 724-foot-tall Hoover Dam, which is 660 feet (200 meters) thick at the bottom and just 45 feet (14 meters) across at the top, creates a wedge shape as it bends between the towering walls of the Black Canyon.

One thrill not to be missed while visiting the Hoover Dam is driving across it. The dam is no longer open to through-traffic after a bypass bridge opened, but it is still possible to drive across it. Approximately a year ago now, the Highway 93 bypass bridge opened to alleviate the stress on the dam and the long lines of cars as drivers waited, sometimes patiently, to cross the top of the dam. The Hoover Dam's roadway is still in use, though, as cars are allowed to cross it to access scenic locations in Arizona; traffic must turn around and re-enter Nevada, since the other direction is closed.

Turning around and recrossing the Hoover Dam isn't such a bad option; the tour entrance is on the Nevada side of the dam. A fantastic way to truly appreciate the dam and its inner workings is by not just exploring it outside, but also inside. A variety of tours are offered and worth the price of admission, since seeing how the dam operates is a unique way to appreciate just how amazing of a marvel it is.

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Puzzle

When to Go

Tours of the dam are offered throughout the year, but the best time to visit the Hoover Dam is in the fall or spring. The desert temperatures can be quite extreme in the summer, so it's best to avoid them. The tour may take you through the interior of the dam, but scorching temperatures may deter you from exploring the outside of the dam during the day.

Odds n' Ends

Make the drive to the Hoover Dam from nearby Las Vegas even more worthwhile with a stop at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. All kinds of water activities are possible on the lake, which the dam makes possible. So, gain a greater appreciation for the Hoover Dam by actually exploring the surrounding area for a couple of days. But just be sure to bring sunscreen for the hot desert sun!

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