The Hoover Dam acts as a gate controller to one of the largest artificial water reservoirs in the world. This hybrid arch dam, built on the border of Arizona and Nevada, is 726.4 feet high and 1,244 feet long. If you're interested in Hoover Dam tours, here's a brief guide regarding its history to get you prepared for your trip.

Designing the Hoover Dam

Planning for the Hoover Dam began as early as 1922 in an effort to mitigate persistent land damage from flooding. When designing the structure, the architects—Henry J. Kaiser and Gordon Kaufmann—knew that it had to be tall and thick enough to withstand the pressure of Lake Mead. However, they also needed to create a strategic spillway that would let floodwaters pass without causing any harm to the dam itself.

Design plans needed to be adapted to mesh with the topography of Black Canyon, which is part of Gunnison National Park. They decided to use an arch-gravity dam design to reap the benefits of both. Since the construction would require so many laborers, Boulder City was constructed as a way to accommodate workers and their families and facilitate a faster turnaround.

Construction of the Hoover Dam

The construction of the Hoover Dam began in 1931 and continued until 1936. Over 21,000 men worked on the project—96 of whom were killed in the process. The initial phase included blasting the walls of Black Canyon to create hydraulic tunnels to divert water flow during the initial construction. Additional tunnels were created and excavated to establish permanent diversions. Workers continued to clear rock and sediment to create the foundation of the dam, which was reinforced with grout. 

In the summer of 1933, concrete production plants supplied the materials necessary to reinforce the dam. However, due to the curation process of concrete, the Hoover Dam needed to be built in segments using interlocking blocks to avoid cracks and eventual deterioration. Ice water was circulated through these blocks to expedite the curing process further. Construction finished in 1935 after an impressive 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete was poured. The concrete in the power plant brings the total to 4.36 million cubic yards. Today, Hoover Dam tours provide millions of visitors with an upfront look at the results and associated history.

If you want to visit the tallest arch dam in the U.S. and learn more about its history, book a tour with the expert guides at Laughlin Tours. They specialize in providing exciting, memorable experiences for individuals looking to learn more about some of the most exciting attractions in the Southwest. They are located in Laughlin, NV, and serve residents and tourists to the area. Their Hoover Dam tours also include a visit to Boulder City, and they offer additional excursions to Oatman, Route 66, and the Grand Canyon. Visit the website to learn more, or call (702) 420-5345 to book your tour today.