Building the Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam, built in the Nevada desert, was a monumental engineering project aimed at taming the Colorado River to provide water and electricity to the western states. Despite overwhelming challenges and significant human cost, the dam was completed in 1936. It created Lake Mead, one of the largest artificial reservoirs, and became a symbol of American ingenuity. The dam provides power, flood control, and irrigation, but also altered the downstream river habitat. With 17 turbines, it remains a major hydroelectric power facility.

What are some of the environmental impacts of the Hoover Dam?

In what ways did the Hoover Dam symbolize American ingenuity?