Barrage Hoover

Here are five interesting facts about the Hoover Dam: 1) The immense pressure from Lake Mead, the reservoir it created, triggered a series of earthquakes in the region. 2) Enough concrete was used to build a two-lane road from San Francisco to New York City. 3) While built for power, the dam's primary purpose was flood control for the Colorado River. 4) The dam was originally named Boulder Dam by the Roosevelt administration before being officially renamed Hoover Dam in 1947. 5) Building the dam led to the creation of Boulder City, a planned community to house the thousands of workers and their families.

Yes, you can still drive across Hoover Dam, but it's no longer a through-route and you must drive back the way you came. Visitors enter from the Nevada side, drive across the top, and then must turn around and exit on the same Nevada side. Be prepared for security inspections when you enter the dam area. SUVs, passenger cars, and other light vehicles are permitted.

Hoover Dam and Lake Mead span the Arizona-Nevada state line. The dam is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, about 35 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Yes, you can visit Hoover Dam for free. You can walk on top of the dam and the surrounding bypass bridge for free. The dam site is open to the public, and you can explore the outdoor areas and enjoy the scenic views for free. You will need to pay for parking in certain areas and for any guided tours.

While the Hoover Dam is famous for generating hydroelectric power, its primary purpose was to tame the wild Colorado River and prevent destructive floods. It also plays a crucial role in providing water for irrigation and municipal use.