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Hoover Dam Facts And The Best Dam Tours From Las Vegas! |
Hoover Dam Facts And The Best Dam Tours From Las Vegas!
Hoover Dam is a large reclamation water project that took about 5 years to construct. The project was started in 1931 and was carried out by the Bureau of Reclamation in a bid to manage, protect and develop the waters of the Colorado River for the benefit of people in the area and beyond. The dam is just one of the many other dams found along the river Colorado.
The dam is used to control the flow of the river, supply water to the people living in the area and generate electricity. It was named after President Hoover of the United States, and is said to be one of the biggest dams in the world. It is also considered to be a historical landmark in the country and an engineering marvel to many people.
And Lake Mead Was Born!
As a result of its construction, a lake was created. Lake Mead holds over 29 million acre-feet of Colorado River water and is one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. The river water is used for various purposes including drinking water, irrigation and hydroelectric power.
Hoover Dam is located on the border of Arizona and Nevada about 30 miles from Las Vegas. The Society of Civil Engineers in America recognizes it as an engineering wonder. This has made the dam stand out from the other dams along the river and made it a major tourist attraction in the country.
A visitor center was set up to receive the millions of visitors interested in viewing this spectacle every year. Guided tours of the dam are offered to visitors all through the year on a daily basis. It usually takes about an hour to view most of the features around the dam. However if one is interested in a more detailed tour, it will take about two hours.
Meet the Hoover Dam Bridge
A highway was constructed on the dam to allow vehicles across the dam, though access to the highway was restricted to some types of cars. Vehicles had to be inspected on a daily basis before using the highway. Later the Hoover Dam Bridge was constructed and the highway across the dam was closed to through-traffic. However visitors are allowed to use the roadway on the dam to gain access to viewpoints.
There are many activities available for tourists visiting the area. Lake Mead offers popular fun activities such as fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, house boating and camping among others. Visitors who prefer hiking can also enjoy the area near the lake.
The Hoover Dam is usually open daily from morning till early evening all year round for visitors apart from Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day. Visitors have to pay certain charges to enjoy the facilities available at the dam, but, considering what you will see and do, it's money well spent.
Hoover Dam Tours for Everyone!
Las Vegas is a great place from which to take a guided day trip to Hoover Dam. Prices are super-competitive and the trips are all-inclusive. There are plenty from which to choose, too. Here are my favorites:
As a result of its construction, a lake was created. Lake Mead holds over 29 million acre-feet of Colorado River water and is one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. The river water is used for various purposes including drinking water, irrigation and hydroelectric power.
Make it a GRAND day!
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