We took the tour of the dam which began with watching a short film on the history of the dam.
Going under ground in the dam is a little nauseating. If you are claustrophobic, do not go. It is very small and they cram a lot of people down there. It's very deep and you can hear the millions of gallons rushing around you. Down in the dam you get some more information about how deep you are, how many gallons are flowing around you, and how big the pipes are.In the Dam we could see the blasting holes from when they created the dam. We learned the construction of the dam took a really long time. They had to divert the river on both sides of the dam before blocking it off completely to create the dam, which created Lake Mead, generating a great deal of electricity for the area.
It was interesting walking inside the dam because it was a lot like walking around inside a cave. In all reality it was really a cave because it was hollowed out underground tunnels. I really don't know how deep we were, but it seemed like we were pretty far underground.
Once we came out of the tour we stood on the backside of the dam and saw a beautiful bridge going over the river, which is an amazing site. It's a beautiful view. The dam sits on the Nevada/Arizona boarder so during the winter it has two different time zones. (Arizona does not change time during daylight savings; therefore, in the spring they are the same time zone. There are clocks positioned on one side of the dam with the name of the state over them)
Overall, Hoover Dam was spectacular site to see because it is truly an amazing accomplishment. It took a long time to build and many people lost their lives in making it. The tour guide explained to us that there were no men buried in the actual cement or in the structure. I guess people ask that a lot on the tour.
Hoover Dam is an example of how man has had to change the environment to survive and thrive. Harnessing nature we do have the power to enhance our way of living. If only we use it properly.
One major thing concerned me on this visit, the water level. In the pictures you will see the the white spots just above the water line. This is where the water used to be less than 20 years ago. Water is disappearing rapidly because there are so many people living in these areas. It's making the dessert drier. I wondered where it will be in the next 20 years.
Once we came out of the tour we stood on the backside of the dam and saw a beautiful bridge going over the river, which is an amazing site. It's a beautiful view. The dam sits on the Nevada/Arizona boarder so during the winter it has two different time zones. (Arizona does not change time during daylight savings; therefore, in the spring they are the same time zone. There are clocks positioned on one side of the dam with the name of the state over them)Overall, Hoover Dam was spectacular site to see because it is truly an amazing accomplishment. It took a long time to build and many people lost their lives in making it. The tour guide explained to us that there were no men buried in the actual cement or in the structure. I guess people ask that a lot on the tour.
Hoover Dam is an example of how man has had to change the environment to survive and thrive. Harnessing nature we do have the power to enhance our way of living. If only we use it properly.
One major thing concerned me on this visit, the water level. In the pictures you will see the the white spots just above the water line. This is where the water used to be less than 20 years ago. Water is disappearing rapidly because there are so many people living in these areas. It's making the dessert drier. I wondered where it will be in the next 20 years.
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