TAMING THE WILD RIVER…HOOVER DAM

Tuesday, April 17 - We headed to Hoover Dam this morning to checkout the new bridge from a tourist vantage point and to visit the Dam. We had previously taken the dam tour many years ago on a vacation to the area.

We started our visit by walking across the new bridge, Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.

 

Mike O’Callaghan was a former Nevada Governor from 1971 to 1979 and later became an editor of the Las Vegas Sun newspaper. Pat Tillman was an Arizona State University graduate who left a lucrative NFL football career to join the Army in 2002. He was killed in Afghanistan from a friendly fire incident in April of 2004 at the age of 27.

To get to the bridge there are tons of steps or a paved walkway to tackle.

They needed to reinforce the walls along the walkway.

The bolts are 20 ft. into the side of the mountain.

Looking across the walkway.

The bypass bridge (new bridge), located approximately 1,500 feet south of the dam, is 1,900 feet long. The arch span stretches 1,060 feet, and the deck stands 900 feet above the river. It is the world’s highest concrete arch bridge.

The road on the new bridge.

Paul was amazed that people are permitted to walk across this bridge in this day and age. We didn't even see any cameras watching the pedestrians on the bridge (I'm sure they were there somewhere).

Marks the middle of the bridge.

It sure is an awe inspiring walk looking W A Y down at the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Another engineering marvel to partner with the dam.

If you would like to see some amazing photos of this bridge being built, please click on this link.

Hoover Dam is named for Herbert Hoover, the nation’s 31st president. After he left office, the names “Boulder Canyon Dam” and “Boulder Dam” were frequently used, allegedly because the new Secretary of the Interior did not like the former president.

Hoover Dam is 726 feet high, 45 feet thick at the top and 660 feet at the bottom, and is larger than the Great Pyramid of Cheops.

Hoover Dam is filled with 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete, enough to pave a strip 16 feet wide and 8 inches thick from San Francisco to New York City.

The total cost of the bypass bridge is $240 million, $100 million in federal funds, $20 million each from Nevada and Arizona, and $100 million in state bond funds.

Backside of bridge.

The lake surface is far below the high water mark, surrounded by a broad, white "bathtub ring" of mineral deposits left along the shoreline by the retreating water.

Spillway area.

We then returned to our car and drove across the Hoover damn and parked on the Arizona side. We walked back across the damn to view the new bridge from below and to see the sights and memorials on the dam.

Drive on dam.

View from Dam.

Two winged figures, 30 feet tall and made of bronze, stand on the Nevada side’s approach to the dam. Legend has it that rubbing their toes brings good luck.

Paul trying to get some good luck.

No we didn't need to use the dam restrooms, talk to the dam tour guide or do any other dam activity…we just couldn't resist.

A special thanks to Rick, Rick and Paulette's RV Travels. In a comment he suggested we get there early. We were there by 9 and beat the crowds. As we were making our way across the new bridge, a huge bus load of people got off. Thank goodness we arrived early!

We made a brief stop to look at Lake Mead. It also has is very low and has the "bathtub ring."

On our way back up the mountain toward Boulder City, NV, we saw three groups of Long Horn Sheep grazing on the green grass between the highway and a couple Little League Fields. The sheep evidently know where to find some grass that gets watered.

Another great day and great visit. 

Correction:  Our apology to Mike and Pat, Mike and Pat's Travels. We called their Angel kitty Megabyte instead of Megabyte2. Their kitty by any name is just beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!