An Incredible Feat Of Human Engineering

I never realized just how close Vegas is to Hoover Dam. Guess all the times I've been to Vegas, heading outside the casinos hasn't really been a priority (nor has being awake during daylight). In reality, it's just a quick 30 minute drive to see one of the modern wonders of the world. Hopefully, the first of many modern and ancient wonders I'll be seeing.

I drove across the dam first to reach the available parking. As I crossed it, I hoped my car wasn't going to be the 'one too many' that broke the back of the cement monolith. Driving across, it was difficult to get a sense of the dam itself. But, as I walked across, this feat of engineering was clearly impressive.

Straddling the Nevada/Arizona border that meets in the middle of the dam, I looked down the front side which is something like 400ft straight down. The damn is concave in front and bows out at the bottom which gave the impression that one could almost slide down it. The sheer scope of the shape and size, not too mention the amount of concrete involved, was impressive.

The back side is impressive in a different regard. There is no massive slab of concrete to be seen (but,it's there). But, the massive volume of water that's backed up behind the dam is mind-boggling for someone for whom physics was never his strong point. I was particularly intrigued by the ring of white rock that extended about 20 feet above the water before the same rock turned back to its normal red-brown. It's the high-water mark which seemed alarmingly close to the top of the dam and it was apparent that the overflow channel can and has been used. Even more interesting was how the rock had been "bleached" by the water which stopped at a perfect, uniform line all around.

Equally intriguing were the glut of power lines that come up from the base where the power plant is located and go out in all directions over the mountains above. Amazing how much power can be generated by that single structure and triumph of an human engineering feat that's some 80+ years old (although I'm one who wouldn't mind seeing the natural Colorado River come back in that area). Despite it's age and the massive amount of pressure the dam must be under on a daily basis, it doesn't seem to show signs of aging. I wish I could say the same.