The Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam Hoover Dam is the highest and 3rd largest concrete dam in the US, built and owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. states of Nevada and Arizona. Roosevelt.
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Hoover Dam, once known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one hundred lives. The

dam was controversially named after President Herbert Hoover. The Visitor's Center is located at 81 Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, AZ 89005. Phone: (702) 494-2517

Excavation for Hoover Dam's powerhouse began alongside work on the dam foundation and abutments, setting the stage for o...
09/01/2026

Excavation for Hoover Dam's powerhouse began alongside work on the dam foundation and abutments, setting the stage for one of the most ambitious hydropower projects in the nation's history. Crews carved out the U-shaped powerhouse at the downstream toe of the dam, completing excavation in late 1933. The first concrete was placed that November, marking a major step toward bringing the power plant online.

📸: Historic photo of the excavation of the Colorado Riverbed to build the foundation of Hoover Dam.

The Colorado River fuels hydroelectric power at Hoover, Davis and Parker dams, historically generating between four and ...
08/28/2026

The Colorado River fuels hydroelectric power at Hoover, Davis and Parker dams, historically generating between four and four and a half billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy each year. That is enough to power the equivalent of about 450,000 homes in Arizona, Nevada and California.

Hydropower is a flexible resource that helps stabilize the electrical grid. It can generate electricity on demand or store potential energy by holding water in reservoirs until it’s needed. By releasing this stored water, hydropower can quickly restore power after an outage, meet peak demand, and maintain proper voltage levels and frequencies across the grid.

📸 1: Hoover Dam Power Plant
📸 2: Davis Dam Power Plant
📸 3: Parker Dam Power Plant

If anyone understands the power of an iconic silhouette shaped by hard work and determination, it’s Dolly Parton. The Ho...
08/26/2026

If anyone understands the power of an iconic silhouette shaped by hard work and determination, it’s Dolly Parton. The Hoover Dam doesn’t do subtle—and neither did Dolly. Both became one‑of‑a‑kind American icons, reminding us that when something truly special comes from big dreams and hard work, you let it shine. 🦋✨

Hoover Dam has been generating hydropower for 90 years - a journey that began in the fall of 1936. Hydropower is one of ...
08/25/2026

Hoover Dam has been generating hydropower for 90 years - a journey that began in the fall of 1936.

Hydropower is one of the nation’s most important sources of alternative energy. For nearly a century, Hoover Dam has delivered power that supports economies, serves communities and strengthens a more energy independent future.

Follow along as we share stories, history and innovations that highlight Hoover Dam’s Hydropower legacy.

📸: A historic view inside the Hoover Dam Power Plant shows massive turbine generators under construction as beams of sunlight stream through the tall windows.

Hoover Dam was designated a national historic landmark on Aug. 20, 1985, in recognition of its role as one of the most a...
08/20/2026

Hoover Dam was designated a national historic landmark on Aug. 20, 1985, in recognition of its role as one of the most ambitious engineering achievements of the 20th century.

Completed in 1935, the dam was the highest and largest concrete dam in the world at the time. Engineers with the Bureau of Reclamation developed an innovative arch‑gravity design that allowed the structure to withstand immense pressure while adapting to extreme desert temperatures and narrow canyon walls.

The dam’s construction demonstrated the nation’s capacity for engineering innovation and public investment during the Great Depression.

📸: A view of Hoover Dam that captures the powerplant, dam and Lake Mead in the background

Bureau of Reclamation employees are often recognized for their technical expertise and knowledge, but they rarely receiv...
08/19/2026

Bureau of Reclamation employees are often recognized for their technical expertise and knowledge, but they rarely receive credit for their skills behind a camera. The excitement of the monthlong America250 celebration at Hoover Dam brought out the inner photographer in many with the once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to capture the landmark like never before.

The celebration inspired employees to organize a photo contest to preserve and commemorate the momentous occasion.

For World Photography Day, we present the winners and outstanding submissions from Lower Colorado Basin employees who participated.

Check out the photographs in the Lower Colorado Region America250 Photo Contest Flickr album here: https://ow.ly/5EaH50ZzAUb

📸: USAF Thunderbirds soar high above Hoover Dam, during America250 festivities. Photo by Harris Abellon

⚠️Notice: Due to unexpected elevator repairs, Dam Tours are temporarily unavailable. Power Plant Tours and the Self‑Guid...
08/19/2026

⚠️Notice: Due to unexpected elevator repairs, Dam Tours are temporarily unavailable. Power Plant Tours and the Self‑Guided Exhibit remain open and operating on their normal schedules. For more information and to plan your visit go to: https://ow.ly/eU0b50ZBBpa

Hoover Dam is open to visitors! 🎉 With the cableway system restored, Hoover Dam is ready to welcome visitors. Public ac...
07/30/2026

Hoover Dam is open to visitors! 🎉

With the cableway system restored, Hoover Dam is ready to welcome visitors. Public access to visit the top of dam and pedestrian access to The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge are now open. All other facilities and services will reopen tomorrow morning.

During routine maintenance earlier this week, a cableway carriage moved unexpectedly and put stress on the system. As a precaution, crews temporarily closed visitor access while they inspected the equipment. Maintenance teams identified and corrected the issue and returned the carriage to its home position, no longer suspended over the main access road.

For more information, view the press release at: https://ow.ly/nkMA50ZuROY
For Hoover Dam trip planning visit: https://ow.ly/U1EX50ZuQnx

📸: The 150-ton cableway at Hoover Dam with the dam and mountains in the background. DOI Photo by Connie Castle

⚠️ UPDATE July 29: Hoover Dam will remain closed tomorrow as crews continue working on the cableway system. Public safet...
07/29/2026

⚠️ UPDATE July 29: Hoover Dam will remain closed tomorrow as crews continue working on the cableway system. Public safety is our top priority. Reclamation will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

📸: Two workers at the base of the 150-ton cableway at Hoover Dam. DOI Photo by Connie Castle

⚠️UPDATE July 28: To ensure visitor safety, the Hoover Dam is closed to visitors while crews address an equipment issue ...
07/28/2026

⚠️UPDATE July 28: To ensure visitor safety, the Hoover Dam is closed to visitors while crews address an equipment issue with the facility's cableway system. The dam and powerplant continue to operate normally.

There is currently no estimate for when visitor access will resume.

Updates will be shared as more information becomes available here: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/index.html

To read the press release visit: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5379

📸: The 150-ton cableway system located near the parking garage and above the main access road to Hoover Dam showing the position of the carriage. USBR photo by Connie Castle.

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Boulder City, NV
89005

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+17024942517

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