The Hoover Dam, an industrial excursion

At the beginning of the previous century, Nevada and Arizona were sparsely populated, but there were already concerns about irrigating the desert by harnessing the Colorado River, which flows through them. So much water carried away constantly and so much desert surface to hydrate. And Nevada, Arizona and California were booming. Not to mention the fact that the hydraulic power generated by such a dam could be converted into gigawatts! It was with this in mind that the Boulder Canyon project was launched.

It was quite a challenge at the time (1931), as never before had a structure required so much concrete, and the transformation of hydraulic power into electrical energy was in its infancy. That said, after a number of in-depth studies of the geography of the Colorado River in the region, it was established that the configuration of Boulder Canyon was ideally suited to the project, and the construction of the dam was approved by the US Congress.

This huge project took 6 years to complete and cost 112 workers their lives. But the 3 states mentioned above were supplied with electricity in the 1940s thanks to the project. And water was no longer a major concern.

When the dam was built, an artificial lake was created. This is Lake Mead, with a surface area of 640 km² and a volume of water of 32,236 km³. It is the main source of water for Las Vegas, to which it is connected by an aqueduct.

This crucial role means that the authorities are constantly on the lookout, especially as the lake has been at its lowest level for some years now, due to successive droughts and the growing need for water in the surrounding states.

With its 885 km of shoreline, it is a holiday destination for Americans, as is often the case with large lakes. But the pollution of its water by chemicals used in agriculture unfortunately casts a shadow over the picture.

As well as discovering an infrastructure that is a real technical and architectural feat, you can enjoy the road and discover an extraordinary landscape by observing the nature that surrounds Las Vegas. And what a landscape it is! A luminous desert, arid cliffs and gigantic canyons await you.

Along Northshore Road sr 167, in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the semi-desert landscape between Boulder City and Overton will give you a taste of the famous Valley of Fire, an amazing national park that we invite you to discover here.

On the road, you can take a stroll on the outskirts of Las Vegas, still in Clarck County, this time on the outskirts of Henderson. Frenchman Mountain is rich in trilobite fossils that attract hikers and budding archaeologists. What's more, the town of Henderson is similar to many others on the west coast. It is famous for its perfect recreation of the Simpsons house (now inhabited by a pensioner). The actor Tony Curtis died there.

The dam will delight fans of megastructures and engineers alike. The 180-metre difference in height generates a powerful flow pulsating at 140 km/h to power the Francis turbines built into the dam. Every year, the site welcomes 1 million visitors who have access to this gigantic machinery. Visitors come for its technical prowess, its gigantic size and, unusually, for its Art Deco style. In a daring combination, Navajo motifs also adorn the building.

You can also see the Oskar Hansen memorial, which bears the inscription "They died to make the desert bloom", in tribute to the workers who died building the dam. The families of the victims come here to pay their respects.

Boulder City

This is a town that has stayed true to its roots. Originally built to house workers during the construction of the dam, it continued to prosper after the work was completed and has remained an attractive town, with its schools, sports facilities and public infrastructure. To discover the town is to encounter the real everyday life of Americans, in all its authenticity.

Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

Just a stone's throw from the dam structure, come and enjoy the extraordinary view of the Hoover Dam from the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Like its giant neighbour, it is an engineering feat in itself, measuring 579 metres in length. With its single arch and a height of 271 metres, it is one of the highest bridges in the world.

Sloan Canyon

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area is a protected area. And with good reason. Also in Clarck County, this canyon is an open-air mine of pre-Columbian Native American petroglyphs. 300 have been recorded. You can see them as you walk through the canyon.

Further south, the North McCullough Wilderness is a wild and unspoilt region. Its volcanic nature is clearly visible in the petrified lava flows.

You'll have no trouble finding a hotel in Boulder City, 10 km from the dam, in Overton or in Henderson.