Hoover Dam In Las Vegas, Nevada


Hoover Dam in the morning
Hoover Dam in the morning

Hoover Dam, is located thirty miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. The structure is named after American President Herbert Hoover, who was instrumental in its construction, first as Secretary of Commerce and later in his role as the President. In 1922, a commission was formed with a representative from each Basin state and one from the Federal government. This representative was Herbert Hoover, who was then the Secretary of Commerce under Harding. Hoover met with each of governors from California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming. He had hoped to come to some sort of agreement concerning the waters of the Colorado River.

As a result of these meetings, the Hoover Compromise was born, it paved the way to what was called the Boulder Dam Project. The dam project was designed to provide irrigation, control flooding and hydro-electric power. Early plans called for the dam to be located in Boulder Canyon, so the name changed to the Boulder Dam Project.

Concrete pouring in the damn began in June,1933. The heating and contracting of the concrete created a problem, to solve the situation, a series of interlocking columns were built. To further cool the concrete, cooling coils were added. After each layer had cooled, the cooling tubes were cut and pressure grout was applied. As the dam ages, the concrete continues to cure and strengthen.

The facade of the dam consist of simple concrete adorned with Gothic-style balustrade, and a powerhouse which resembles nothing more than a warehouse. Many people have complained about the simplicity of the dam, as a result Gordon B. Kauffman, a Los Angeles architect was brought in to redesign the dams exterior. The results were that buildings were streamlined and an Art-Deco theme permeated the entire project. On September 17th, 1930, it was announced by Secretary of the Interior Ray L. Wilbur, that the dam would be officially named, "Hoover Dam'', in honor of President Herbert Hoover.

The Hoover Dam is located in the Black Canyon on the Colorado River, and sometimes it is referred to as "Boulder Dam''. Hoover Dam, is currently the world's 35th largest hydroelectric station. The dam and power plant are operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, under the US Department of the Interior. In 1981, Hoover Dam became listed on the National Register of Historical Places and as a national landmark in 1985.

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