Hoover Dam
Dam Information
Basic Details
- Dam Name: Hoover (Boulder)
- NID ID: NV10122
- Location: 36.01667°N, -114.73666°W
- County: Clark, NV; Mohave, AZ
- River: Colorado River
- Nearest City: Laughlin (70 miles)
Physical Characteristics
- Dam Length: 1,244 feet
- Dam Height: 730 feet
- Maximum Storage: 30,237,000 acre-feet
- Surface Area: 156,800 acres
- Year Completed: 1935
- Volume: 3,250,000 cubic yards
Location & Dimensions
- Where is Hoover Dam: Located on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona
- Hoover Dam Height: 726.4 feet (221.4 meters)
- Volume: 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete
Visitor Information
- Photos: Photography is permitted in most areas
- Overlap: The dam serves both Nevada and Arizona
- Keywords: Power generation, water storage, hydroelectric dam
Interesting Facts
- 1.The dam's concrete would pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York City.
- 2.Over 100 workers lost their lives during the dam's construction from 1931 to 1936.
- 3.The dam generates enough electricity annually to serve 1.3 million people.
- 4.Each of the dam's 17 generators can power 100,000 households.
- 5.The dam's base is as thick as two football fields laid end-to-end.
- 6.It took less than five years to build, completing ahead of schedule and under budget.
- 7.The dam was originally called Boulder Dam before being renamed to Hoover Dam in 1947.
Dam Safety for Boats
A large amount of water can be released from a dam without any warning at any time and by any means. For example, when the demand for electricity is high, the turbines at a dam may be turned on automatically, resulting in a significant increase in the downstream flow of water in only a matter of seconds.
If there's a need to release water through the sluiceways (outlets at the base of the dam), this operation can also create a great swell of discharged water downstream.
Warning Systems
Warning Devices Include:
- Horns:Sounded before water release. When heard, immediately leave areas upstream and downstream.
- Strobe Lights:Activated before hydro plant operation or water release. When seen flashing, immediately evacuate upstream and downstream areas.
- Warning Signs:Direct visitors away from hazardous areas and warn of water surges. All warnings must be strictly obeyed.