Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam, an iconic symbol of American engineering and perseverance, is located on the border between Nevada and Arizona, spanning the Colorado River. Constructed during the Great Depression between 1931 and 1936, the dam was a massive public works project designed to provide flood control, hydroelectric power, and water storage for the arid southwestern United States. Standing 726 feet tall and stretching 1,244 feet across, the Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity structure that created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S. by volume when full. Its hydroelectric power plant generates over 2,000 megawatts of electricity, supplying energy to millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The dam was officially dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 and has since become a National Historic Landmark.

Today, the Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction, drawing nearly a million visitors annually. Located just 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas near Boulder City, Nevada, it offers guided tours through the Bureau of Reclamation, including access to the power plant and observation decks. The visitor center features exhibits detailing the dam’s construction, purpose, and lasting impact on the region. One of the most striking views of the dam can be seen from the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which spans the canyon just downstream and provides panoramic vistas of the dam and the Colorado River. The Hoover Dam not only represents a triumph of engineering but also a testament to the determination and ingenuity of the thousands of workers who built it under harsh and dangerous conditions. It continues to play a vital role in water management and energy production in the American Southwest, while also serving as a powerful reminder of the nation's ability to overcome adversity through innovation and collective effort.

Visiting the Hoover Dam

• Location: Near Boulder City, Nevada, about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas.

• Tours: The Bureau of Reclamation offers guided tours, including access to the power plant and observation decks.

• Visitor Center: Features exhibits on the dam’s construction, purpose, and impact.

• Scenic Views: The Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge (Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge) offers panoramic views of the dam and river.

More details or plan your visit through the official Bureau of Reclamation site