Hoover Dam Nevada, an Engineering Wonder
Hoover Dam became a National Historic Landmark in 1985 and then designated as one of America’s Seven Engineering Wonders in 1994. Located on the Arizona-Nevada border (about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas), the Dam attracts over seven million visitors annually. The enormous tourist attraction, measuring 726 feet high, stretches 1,244 feet across. Its base is a staggering 660 feet thick.
Hoover Dam

The ground breaking dam was created to tame the Colorado River as well as house much needed water for urban areas of Los Angeles, as well as Phoenix and Tucson Arizona. In addition to creating Lake Mead, the stored water irrigates 2 million acres of land, including numerous farms across Southern California’s Imperial Valley. The multipurpose structure also generates enough hydroelectric power to serve 1.3 million people annually.
Hoover Dam History
Although construction officially began on June 6,1933 (when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office) the initial start of the unprecedented project began in 1922. President Calvin Coolidge signed an act authorizing the Boulder Canyon Project in December of 1928. Then-Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover was responsible for overseeing the Colorado River Compact.
Apparently, back in 1922 six of the seven states in the Colorado River drainage area (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada) expressed fears that California would get the lion’s share of the water. Herbert Hoover, who was not yet president at the time, was instrumental in overseeing a compact which divided the states into the Upper and Lower Basins. This established a pre-set amount of river water to be distributed and consumed annually. The water distribution continues to evolve with new changes being implemented, in an effort to satisfy the needs of all.

After Herbert Hoover became President in July of 1930, he signed the first appropriation bill for the project. The Government designed and built Boulder Canyon to house all the workers just six miles from the construction site. A hospital was built in anticipation of the many injuries to come. The official death toll is 96 men. Boulder Canyon included a school, department store, recreation hall, laundry and a post office. Then, in 1985 it was designated as a National Historic Landmark. Of course, Las Vegas was born during this time. However, that is an entirely different but connected tale.
Popular Nevada Attractions
Then In 2010, the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge was completed, offering panoramic views of the dam and the Colorado River. The bridge diverts traffic from the dam, easing congestion and enhancing security. Its pedestrian walkway provides visitors with a unique vantage point and extraordinary views for photography and sightseeing.
Together, Hoover Dam and the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge have become a popular tourism attraction. The architectural design, with its art-deco details, is beautiful. Tours of the landmark include an extensive look at the dam’s interior, including construction tunnels, its 17 power generating turbines and views of the Colorado River through ventilation shafts. Learning the fascinating history of Hoover Dam is a highlight of the tours.
Hoover Dam created Lake Mead, which now belongs to America’s National Park system and attracts many tourists.
The lake provides a variety of recreational experiences for families such as boating, fishing, mountain biking and also hiking. https://www.nps.gov/lake/
If you are visiting Nevada, these are all must-see destinations. Find out more and purchase tickets on the website, as well as at the visitor center. Hoover Dam, 81 Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005; https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/
Read more about attractions in our Nevada articles.