Hoover dam is a project of the bureau of reclamation, u. Located at the north end of the sacramento valley, shasta dam creates shasta lake for longterm water storage, flood control, hydroelectricity and protection. This great american icon was to be the largest and heaviest dam, producing the largest amount of hydro electric power in the world. Congress then renamed the dam hoover dam after president herbert hoover in 1947. A bold design supported by a challenging geotechnical exploration project was the beginnings of what is now the largest concrete arch bridge in the western hemisphere. At 602 feet 183 m high, it is the eighthtallest dam in the united states. Hoover dam, often called boulder dam, is located on the colorado river at the southern tip of nevada and the arizona border. The hoover dam was completed two years ahead of schedule and under budget despite political, economical, technical, and organizational obstacles.
Built during the great depression, the dam would tame the floodprone colorado river southeast of las vegas. The boulder canyon project, of which the hoover dam is the principal feature, is being constructed by the bureau of reclamation, department. Hoover dam was a monumental accomplishment for its era which set new standards for feasibility studies, structural analysis and behavior, quality control during construction, and postconstruction performance evaluations. First joint venture and construction milestones in excavation, geology, materials handling, and aggregates conference paper pdf available october 2010 with 1,459 reads how we. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the great depression and was dedicated on september 30, 1935, by president franklin d. With arizonas fight on hoover dam pending in the supreme court at washington, the full signature of the contract is regarded bythe officials as a necessary safeguard for the six companies. Hoover dam was a monumental accomplishment for its era which set new standards for postconstruction performance evaluations. Hoover dam is americas most famous landmark, completed in 1935. See more ideas about hoover dam, hoover dam construction and dam construction. Hoover dam is a concrete archgravity dam in the black canyon of the colorado river, on the border between the u. Hoover dam was an audacious and courageous undertaking. When it was originally built, the hoover dam was the largest concrete structure in the world.
Hoover dam construction history hoover dam information. The colorado river presented itself as a huge potential for irrigation of the much needed water in southwest united states. Via on this day in 1930, construction of the hoover dam begins. Roosevelt was present and most of the work on the dam with the exception of the powerhouse was completed at the time. The mike ocallaghanpat tillman memorial bridge is an arch bridge in the united states that spans the colorado river between the states of arizona and nevada. This day in history building of hoover dam begins 1930. Describes the hazards to being one of the many builders during the construction of the hoover dam, including the tough living conditions, the extreme heights, and the diverting of a river. Over 700 feet tall, it has been standing here, on the nevadaarizona border, since 1935, having been completed just four short years after the award of. One famous dam in the united states, the hoover dam, is located on the border between the states of arizona and nevada. Hansen in the early years of the 20th century, the rapid development of the southwestern united states was creating a high. Hoover dam facts, worksheets, construction, location. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the hoover dam like never before, in no time at all.
Over the next five years, a total of 21,000 men would work ceaselessly to produce what would be the largest dam of its time, as well as one of the largest manmade structures in the world. Construction of hoover dam by department of the interior and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. On this day in 1930, construction of the hoover dam begins. Sponsored by the history and heritage committe of asce. The congress in 1928 passed the boulder canyon project act, author izing construction of hoover dam and the ail. Proceedings of the hoover dam 75th anniversary history symposium, held in las vegas, nevada, october 2122, 2010. The development of great ethiopian renaissance dam gerd is causing political escalation of tensions between ethiopia and egypt based on current issues and the expectations for requirements that must be met before the completion of the dam construction. Pdf the size of the boulder canyon project necessitated a broad array of innovations in construction engineering and management which.
This collection contains 20 papers that commemorate the dedication of the hoover dam, which many regard as the worlds greatest dam design and construction project of the 20th. Secretary of interior designated this portion of the colorado river as a national water trail, making it the first in the southwest and the first to flow through a desert. The grandeur of the hoover dam makes one speechless, as you look down at birds of prey hovering down below in the canyon. Hoover dam site black canyon prior to initiation of construction activities photograph taken prior to 1929. The construction companies that made up the consortium went their separate ways after the hoover dam project, and accomplished a variety of successful projects afterwards. Hoover dam s construction history is just as interesting as the dam itself. Some general facts regarding the unrlertaking and the men. The incredible construction story behind the hoover dam a 1930s infrastructure project that now provides water and electricity to millions across the south western united states. In recognition of hoover dam s 50th anniversary, the bureau of reclamation has published this special edition of hoover dam.
The history and construction of americas most famous engineering project chronicles the construction of americas most famous dam. The building of hoover dam belongs to the sagas of the daring. The railroad was one of three railroads built and operated specifically to support construction of hoover dam and the power plant at the toe of the dam. What can we learn from the hoover dam project that. Construction this will be the most intensive portion of the website, including articles and links as they become published. Construction began in january 2005 on a longplanned hoover dam bypass project, and in october 2010 a concrete arch bridge with a 1,060foot 322metre spanthe longest in north america for that type of bridgeopened for through traffic within view of hoover dam. The feasibility study was unveiled at a conference titled construction of boulder. Describes the engineering, construction, and social and historical contexts of the hoover dam. Guidelines for construction cost estimating for dam. Building the hoover dam, 19311936 rare historical photos.
The construction of the hoover dam was the culmination of years of attempts to harness the power of the colorado river. Six companies general superintendent for hoover dam was frank crowe. To combat this situation, the hoover dam bypass, a fiveyear construction project completed in october 2010, now provides an alternate crossing of the river near the dam. Its base is as thick as two football fields are long. Hoover dam aggregate classification plant haer nv43 six. In fact, even with this design, the dam would need to resist the water pressure more than 45,000 lb per square foot at the base of the dam. By its completion in 1935, the hoover dam was the greatest concrete project ever recorded, using more masonry than the great pyramid at giza 4. Hoover dam was a monumental accomplishment for its era which set new standards for feasibility studies, structural analysis and behavior, quality control during construction, and post construction performance evaluations. President wattis said yesterday the financial details of the hoover dam job are complete.
Apr, 2016 when it was originally built, the hoover dam was the largest concrete structure in the world. Morrisonknudsen company president henry morrison appeared on the cover of time magazine in 1954, his company having grown to one of the largest construction and engineering. Hoover dam and lake mojave area, many of which have been. In the early 1900s, after many failed efforts to control the lower colorado river with levees and irrigation canals, the u. Guidelines for construction cost estimating for dam engineers. Hoover dam was a monumental accomplishment for its era which set new standards for feasibility studies, structural analysis and behavior, quality control during construction, and postconstruction. The first attempt to use the colorado river for irrigation was made in the 1890s by constructing the alamo canal close to the mexican border. The old road along the crest is reserved for use by visitors to the dam. The bridge is located within the lake mead national recreation area approximately 30 miles 48 km southeast of las vegas, and carries interstate 11 and u. My staff will be working diligently to provide accurate information that will chronicle the construction of the dam from beginning to end. Hoover dam is a large archgravity dam located on the border of the states of nevada and arizona on the colorado river in its black canyon.
Genesis of a new bridge plans for a bypass bridge over the hoover dam were first seriously discussed back in the early 1980s. Because of the nature of the structure and an inability to implement social distancing standards recommended by the centers for disease control and prevention, the dam, including the visitor center and all tours, will be closed to the public until further notice. Six construction firms created a consortium call six company, inc. Over 700 feet tall, it has been standing here, on the nevadaarizona border, since 1935, having been completed just four short years after the award of the contract and two years ahead of schedule.
Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one. Reclamation based many of their decisions on surveys of previous high dams to compare their physical, geologic, and hydrologic features with those proposed at hoover dam. Over the next five years, a total of 21,000 men would work ceaselessly to produce what would be the. Hoover dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the great depression and was dedicated on september 30, 1935, by president franklin d. The engineering behind the hoover dam and its bypass. Hoover dam build photos reveal the wonder of human invention. Previous literature regarding the hoover dam project focused primarily on the aspects of design, engineering, and construction, with. Hoover dams construction history is just as interesting as the dam itself. One of the most important departures was the congressional mandate placed upon the u. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading colossus. Hoover dam was a monumental accomplishment for its era which set new standards for post construction performance evaluations. Eventually renamed hoover dam in 1947, the dam was the largest manmade structure in the world when completed, and created lake mead, the largest reservoir in the united states.
Technical information on the dams design and construction is available in the boulder canyon. Hoover dam was a monumental accomplishment for its era which set new standards for feasibility studies, structural analysis and behavior, quality control during construction, and post construction. Past efforts at forcing the colorado under human will had met with varying degrees of success. On march 1, 1936, construction of all the features of the hoover dam was complete, two years ahead of schedule and under budget.
In 1947, a joint resolution of congress changed the name of the dam back to hoover dam. If you require this document in an alternate format, please contact the water resources program at 360 4076872 or tty for the speech or hearing impaired at 711 or 18008336388. Physical description hoover dam is a concrete archgravity dam in the black canyon of the colorado river, on the border between arizona and nevada. Jul 07, 2017 via on this day in 1930, construction of the hoover dam begins. Aug 15, 2018 the incredible construction story behind the hoover dam a 1930s infrastructure project that now provides water and electricity to millions across the south western united states. Hoover dam was officially dedicated as boulder dam on september 30, 1935.
Bureau of reclamation decided the best solution for the arid southwest would be to dam the river and create a yearround water supply. What can we learn from the hoover dam project that influenced. Hoover dam construction process design facts and technical. It was the most colossal structure in the world at that time. Shasta dam called kennett dam before its construction is a concrete archgravity dam across the sacramento river in northern california in the united states. It was given incentive bonuses and would be fined for each day construction overran the assigned schedule. Mike ocallaghanpat tillman memorial bridge wikipedia. It was the highest dam in the world when it was completed in 1935. In recognition of hoover dams 50th anniversary, the bureau of reclamation has published this special edition of hoover dam. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Construction of the hoover dam bureau of reclamation. The booklet tells the story of the dam its concept, its construction, and its benefits. Hoover dam temporarily closed to all visitors the bureau of reclamation has temporarily suspended public visitation to hoover dam. Hoover dam and the making of the american century kindle edition by hiltzik, michael.
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