The Hoover Dam is a massive concrete dam that is located in the Colorado River’s Black Canyon, and it straddles the border between Nevada and Arizona. At the time of its completion in 1936, it was the largest concrete structure and hydroelectric power station in the world. Presently, it ranks as the 38th largest hydroelectric station in the world, but it is still one of the main tourist attractions in the US.
The Hoover Dam is an imposing structure that measures 726 feet high and 1,244 feet wide, and its walls and walkways feature Native American motifs. It draws about 8 to 10 million visitors every year, and more than 1 million of them take part in the guided tours. Tours of the dam begin at the Visitor Center, which is a beautiful tri-level concrete and glass building that features interesting audio-visual presentations, exhibits, and models. There are two types of tours for visitors to choose from. The 30-minute tour takes participants to the power plant, while the 60-minute tour explores rarely seen places, including a flight of stairs that runs deep down into the lower part of the dam.
Here are a number of websites that provide more information about the Hoover Dam.
General Information
History
How It Works
Educational Materials
