Hoover Dam Today

Hoover Dam is a project of the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Interior of the United States. Their mission is to manage, develop and protect water related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner for the benefit of the American public. With this tall order they oversee the Hoover Dam project which encompasses Colorado River flood control, water for irrigation, electricity generation, recreation and the wildlife habitation.

The 10 acre Powerhouse floor space houses 17 generators that produce more than four billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year. This is equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption for Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.

The other vital support which Hoover Dam offers to the people is the ability to irrigate low lying desert lands. This once dry land plagued by Colorado River flash floods has enabled farmers to produce food crops all year round.

(Photo courtesy of United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation - Lower Colorado Region)