Building of the Hoover Dam
Construction of the Boulder Dam (now known as Hoover Dam) began on
July 7, 1930.
The reason it was named the Boulder Dam was because it was adjacent
to Boulder Canyon.
The project was also named the the Boulder Canyon Dam
Project.
Continued
The dam now converts the flow of the river into 2.4 megawatts of
energy.
Most of the energy is routed to southern California and
Nevada.
At the time the dam cost 49$ million to construct.
The dam is 660 ft thick and is 1244 ft long.
The dam impounds the Colorado river.
Pictures of the Hoover Dam
About the Construction of the Hoover Dam
Geological specialists inspected the volcanic bedrock and found
fault lines that were solid enough to support the structure.
Also they sent out surveying parties to make contour maps showing
that the area would hold 31 million acre feet of water.
Continued
The office engineering staff was busy making system analyses,
drawings, specifications, schedules, and cost estimates.
The work on the Dam was finished in the late 1930s which was six
months ahead of the projected time.
Achievements of the Hoover Dam
At the time of its completion the Hoover Dam was the worlds largest
concrete structure.
It held that until 1942 when the Grand Coulee Dam opened.
It was also, at the time, the largest public-works program in U.S.
history.
Continued
The Hoover Dam help reclaim Californias flood-prone Imperial
Valley, it improved water supply to the seven Colorado River-basin
states, and generated electric power for Southern
California.
Pictures of the Hoover Dam
Facts About the Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is a concrete gravity-arch dam in the Black Canyon
of the Colorado River.
It is on the border between Arizona and Nevada.
The Dam is named after Herbert Hoover who played a big role in its
construction, first Secretary of Commerce, and the President of the
United
About the Reservoir
Lake Mead is the reservoir created behind the dam.
It was named after Elwood Mead, who oversaw the construction of the
dam.
Before the construction, the Colorado River Basin periodically
overflowed its banks when snow from the Rocky Mountains melted and
drained into the river.
The floods endangered downstream farming communities.
The dam made it possible for the expansion of irrigated farming in
the parched region.
It also provided a dependable supply of water for Los Angeles and
Southern California communities.
Continued
The floods endangered downstream farming communities.
The dam made it possible for the expansion of irrigated farming in
the parched region.
It also provided a dependable supply of water for Los Angeles and
Southern California communities.
Reasons why I chose the Hoover Dam
I chose this because it was one of the biggest achievements of the
decade.
Also I thought this was one of the most interesting topics out of
the list.
Lastly I wanted to learn more about this topic.