Hoover Dam (2)

After our guided tour of the Hoover dam was finished, we were free to explore the rest of the dam. We visited the viewing platform (in the visitors centre) & walked across the entire dam (for our second visit to Arizona). One thing that was really noticeable was the drastic reduction of water level behind the dam (at least 20 ft). This has been attributed in part to climate change & also the huge development & subsequent increase in water demand for the surrounding area. It really made you realize how important water is (especially in this desert environment) & the problems that are likely to occur is water isn't available.

A few other interesting Hoover Dam facts:

• Construction duration: April 20, 1931 – March 1, 1936
• Construction cost: $49 million (approximately $750 present day cost)
• Deaths attributed to construction: 96 (if a death occurred away from the dam site it wasn't counted, so the total death toll is probably considerably higher)
• Dam height: 726.4 ft
• Dam width: 1244 ft
• Dam thickness: 660 ft (at the base) & 45 ft (at the crest) - the dam base is thicker than the Gateway Arch is tall!
• Concrete used: 4.36 million cubic yds
• Maximum instantaneous hydroelectric generation: 2.08 GW
• Approximate total power output (yearly): 4 billion KWh