The Hoover Dam, located on the border of Nevada and Arizona, is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the United States. The dam, built in the 1930s, is a marvel of engineering and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World. It is also a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public for tours and visits.
The Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression as part of a government project to control the Colorado River, provide water and hydroelectric power to the surrounding areas and create jobs. The construction of the dam took five years and cost over 100 lives. The dam was completed in 1935 and was originally named the Boulder Dam. It was later renamed the Hoover Dam in 1947 to honor President Herbert Hoover.
The dam stands at 726 feet tall and is 1,244 feet long, making it one of the tallest and longest dams in the world. It contains enough concrete to pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York City. The dam also holds back the massive Lake Mead, which is the largest man-made lake in the United States and provides water and hydroelectric power to the surrounding areas.
Visitors to the Hoover Dam can take a tour of the dam, which includes a visit to the power plant, the observation deck, and the exhibits about the history and construction of the dam. There are also several guided tours available such as the Dam Tour, the Power Plant Tour and the Hoover Dam Bypass Tour. The Dam Tour is the most popular and it includes a visit to the generator room, the observation deck, and the exhibits about the history and construction of the dam.
In addition to the tours, visitors can also take a scenic drive along the Hoover Dam Bypass, which offers panoramic views of the dam and the surrounding area. The bypass also includes a pedestrian walkway and a bridge that provides an excellent view of the dam.