Why was Hoover Dam Built?
Viewing this magnificent, massive man made structure
creates a respect for man's accomplishments. The strong desire to harness nature's power drove
the human mind and body to build a dam in the hottest, driest area of the United States. People
wanting to irrigate low lying plains, known as low desert areas, without suffering from flooding
and the battle over water made it obvious to the United States government that the Colorado River
was part of the solution. (Right photo shows explosions preparing for
construction.)
 Geologists and Hydrologists
who surveyed to determine the
best area to dam the mighty Colorado River waters initially determined that Boulder Canyon was going to be
the site for the dam. The government pursued bids for the building project. This project was so demanding
that one construction company would not be capable enough to solely build the dam. Therefore, six
of the largest United States construction companies worked together to acquire the bid. This sealed
the deal and construction started in 1931 with the arrival of dam builders from all over the
country. (Left photo shows the intake tunnel outlet.)
(Photo courtesy of United
States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation - Lower Colorado
Region)
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