The Hover Dam tour is AWESOME! A must for children and adults alike. Highly recommended the longer Dam tour as the sites vistas and information will be unbeatable. I took my wife here, we had the best time. I recomend binoculars, and or a camera with ability to take shots really close up and far away. This was nothing like I thought it would be. It was so much better! Just the greatest way to see and Feel history. Even had the rare opportunity to see one of the generators out turbine for repair...STUNNING!

Honestly a great feat of engineering and a marvel to see for yourself. Tour is amazing and informative.

The Hoover Dam, which stands 726 feet tall in front of the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, is a shining example of mans victory over nature. This dam was the most important hydroelectric structure of its time and remains the second tallest dam in the United States. Built during the economic crisis of the 1930s, this work had a major impact on the economy and on the development of several states in the American West.The construction of this dam was done in part to contain the periodic flooding of the Colorado River which is the result of water runoff from the mountains that cover seven US states. When snowmelt occurs each year, a massive influx of water is added to the flow of this stream and inevitably causes destructive flooding. The construction of a dam solved this problem by controlling the flow of the river. A steady flow would promote the growth of agriculture in this region and the electricity generated by the dam would in the long term make the construction profitable and thus ensure the growth of all of Southern California and also of the city ​​of Las Vegas in Nevada.The construction of the Hoover Dam was also a lifeline for thousands of Americans affected by the Great Depression. It enabled these families to acquire a subsistence income during the construction period. Indeed, thousands of jobless people moved across the United States in the hope of obtaining a job that would earn them between US $ 4.00 and US $ 5.60 per day, a substantial salary at the time. .Given the wild and isolated nature of the site, the first task of the 6 companies that had obtained the construction contract was to build the roads and railways that would bring the material close to the site.It was also necessary to set up a camp for the workers and, in order to accommodate their families and to entertain these workers during their days off, a village was built from scratch a few kilometers from the dam.A colossal task for the timeSubsequently, it was necessary to divert the course of the river to the portion where the site would be established. To do so, 4 tunnels 56 feet in diameter were dug through the rock wall of the Black Canyon. The combined length of these tunnels reached nearly 16,000 feet and the drilling lasted six months. November 13, 1932 was a capital moment because it was on this date that the river was blocked by dumping tons of stones and earth into it to force it to follow its course inside the tunnels located on each side. side of the shore.Once the river had been diverted, the next step was to build the dam. The construction of the Hoover Dam was not easy. Access to the site being difficult, a network of overhead cables was used to transport the concrete from the factory to the site. In addition, we had to think about finding a way to speed up the cooling of the concrete because such a massive structure (the dam is 45 feet wide at the top and 665 feet at its base) would have taken nearly 125 years to solidify. at room temperature.In order to shorten this unacceptable delay, engineers had a factory refrigeration plant built on the site capable of producing 1000 tonnes of ice per day. Water from the river was brought to the plant, cooled, and then pumped through a network of pipes cast in concrete to cool the concrete to an acceptable level. The pipes were then cut and concrete injected under pressure in order to plug the openings. Thanks to this process, the engineers succeeded in solidifying the structure in just 20 months.The working conditions were trying for the workers. Workers had to contend with an average temperature of 119 ° F. In addition, the nature of the work carried out by certain workers was perilous, in particular with regard to the high scalers who had to work on the cliffs suspended only by a cable, armed with a helmet, a pneumatic drill, etc. a hammers and dynamite.

Tickets for the tours sell out fast so get their early. We arrived 45 minutes before the box office opened and got tickets for the first tour. Tour of dam and power plant was 90 minutes and was educational.

COVID means theyre closed for the foreseeable future according to the gentleman at the security checkpoint. Very understandable, but its odd because so many places nearby are open just with social distancing. Regardless, Id call ahead and make sure if this is somewhere you want to stop at.

Very well set up visitor center tells the dam story both in modern multimedia and vintage physical exhibits. The full dam tour is well worth the price for the chance to see not just the powerhouse but to go deep inside the dam through the old inspection tunnels. Theres some really dam interesting history here like the WWII pillbox on the Arizona hillside and the old measurement systems in the tunnel that were actively monitored until they were sure that the dam wasnt going to settle. Make sure to check out the walk across the Tillman bridge as well for some amazing views of the whole site.

Patrolling the mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter.

Great place to spend 2-3 hrs

Awesome site to see. Amazed every time I go there how it was constructed and the power it produces. Great history.

Over hype! 10 bucks parking fee but you can park for free if you cross over the dam to AZ side. Tour over priced. Gift shop reasonable price.

A sight to behold. Beautiful and gorgeous will leave you wondering how this was done.Everyone should have the opportunity to visit.The employees were so nice and helpful. Well trained and invite questions.Please take time to see this wonder within the United States.

Got Lucky with parking!! Over all good scroll through!!

Awesome view... just wow!

Beautiful place!!

A great place to visit, beautiful views everywhere, a tour of the powerplant for only $15.

An amazing feat of human engineering

Great place with many awesome things to see. Views are amazing

The Hoover Dam is a must see place on your Southwest trip itinerary! So much history and beauty in architecture and landscape

Best rope access job ever

Walk the new bridge, great view! A little disturbing to see how low the water is getting.

A must see if in area. Took pink Jeep touring.

Loved the tour from Mr. Vegas tours

Beautiful area on the border of Nevada and Arizona. The drive up to the Hoover Dam from Boulder city is spectual sight to see with the different types of rocks, and dont forget about Lake Mead viewpoint.

It was a great trip to see the Dam in person.

Excellent spot for photo sessions

Love it! Must see!

What a marvel. #Super structure. There wasnt any transformers today.

Amazing what 1930s America was called of.

It was the best tour.

It was alright, worth the stop

Amaizing place , worth the drive

A must see! Walk out on the bridge and look down on the dam. Then walk across the dam and look up at the bridge. Two marvels of construction!

Always cool

Great history!

Cool as

Incredible

Good