What is the significance of the hoover dam

Farmers received a dependable supply of water in Nevada, Arizona, and California. Numerous cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix were given an inexpensive source of electricity, permitting population growth and industrial development.

Hoover Dam also provided for flood control and irrigation. Even prior to its completion however, concerns were expressed over the potential impacts of Hoover Dam on aquatic systems. Research performed in the ensuing years shows that significant changes have occurred to the chemical, physical, and biological processes of associated ecosystems , including declines in species of fish. Hoover Dam dramatically altered the hydrologic regime of the Colorado River, for example.

Prior to the s, it carried approximately million tons of suspended sediment to its delta at the head of the Gulf of California. At present, the Colorado River does not discharge either sediment or water to the gulf.

Stevens, Joseph E. Hoover Dam: An American Adventure. Hoover Dam—National Historic Landmark. Bureau of Reclamation, U. Department of the Interior. Simonds, William Joe. Construction of the concrete arch-gravity type dam began as part of the Boulder Canyon project. Header link September 15, Header link November 3, Header link May 15, Water Education Foundation. Share this page. Related Links. Publication May 20, Footer pod May 20, All rights reserved.

The second step of involved the clearing of the walls that would contain the dam. Suspended from heights of up to feet above the canyon floor, high scalers wielded pound jackhammers and metal poles to knock loose material, a treacherous task that resulted in casualties from falling workers, equipment and rocks.

Meanwhile, the dried riverbed allowed for construction to begin on the powerplant, four intake towers and the dam itself. Cement was mixed onsite and hoisted across the canyon on one of five ton cableways, a fresh bucket capable of reaching the crews below every 78 seconds.

Offsetting the heat generated by cooling concrete, nearly miles of pipe loops were embedded to circulate water through the poured blocks, with workers continually spraying the concrete to keep it moist. As the dam rose, block by block, from the canyon floor, the visual renderings of architect Gordon Kaufmann took form.

Electing to emphasize the imposing mass of the structure, Kaufmann kept the smooth, curved face free of adornment. The powerplant was given a futuristic touch with horizontal aluminum fins for windows, while its interior was designed to pay homage to Native American cultures.

With the body of water that would become Lake Mead already beginning to swell behind the dam, the final block of concrete was poured and topped off at feet above the canyon floor in Approximately 5 million barrels of cement and 45 million pounds of reinforcement steel had gone into what was then the tallest dam in the world, its 6.

Altogether, some 21, workers contributed to its construction. Hoover Dam fulfilled the goal of disseminating the one-wild Colorado River through the parched Southwest landscape, fueling the development of such major cities as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Capable of irrigating 2 million acres, its 17 turbines generate enough electricity to power 1. You must be logged in to post a comment. Works Cited Basar. Previous Post The Ethics of Care vs. Clear tradeoffs — at least there are major benefits. Leave a Reply Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment. A blog dedicated to evaluating engineering design. Skip to toolbar Sites at Penn State.