7 Shocking Facts About the Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is one of the most popular attractions in Las Vegas, famed for reshaping the economic landscape of the Southwest American region. But this national monument seems to have too many secrets tucked in its concrete walls, ranging from mind-blowing engineering feats to scary deaths. Here are the top Hoover Dam facts unknown to many, including some Nevada residents.
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Construction Worker at Hoover Dam[/caption]
The Hoover Dam construction happened between 1931 and 1936, and official records show that at least 96 workers died during this period. The deaths were associated with industrial accidents, like equipment malfunctions. Even though the recorded figure was 96, it doesn’t include indirect fatalities or unrecorded incidents. At least 46 workers were reported to have died later on due to work-related conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning. The Tierney family remains among the most significant causalities in the Hoover Dam deaths, having lost two relatives: J.G. Tierney (died on December 20, 1922) and his son Patrick Tierney (died on December 20, 1935).
The deaths associated with the construction of the dam triggered many myths, including the story that there was a dead body buried under the Hoover Dam. The urban myth is derived from an actual incident on November 11, 1933, during the construction, when W.A. Jameson fell and ended up being buried under concrete. However, an official report by Connie Castle, the Hoover Dam’s Public Affairs Specialist at that time, showed that the body of Jameson was recovered 16 hours later after the accident happened. Jameson’s colleagues toiled to exhume his body from the concrete foam, at least to comfort his friends and family. Engineering experts have also reported that any bodies buried under the damn would affect the structural integrity of the dam's concrete, causing even more problems.
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Hoover Dam worker inspecting equipment[/caption]
The deaths reported during the construction of the damn were clear evidence of the grueling working conditions. The workers became creative and devised various ways of keeping themselves entertained and motivated. The public eventually made trips to the construction site to witness the massive construction and marvel at the stunts being pulled by the workers. The high-scalers workers were most popular for their dangling tactics, which could only be seen in circuses.
The US wasn't involved in World War II until they uncovered a heinous plot in November 1939. The plot revealed the NAZIs were targeting the Hoover Dam; the plan was to damage a key American economic asset since the dam was the primary power source for the Southern California airplane manufacturing industry. Should the plan have been successful, the US would have suffered massively since the airplane manufacturing industry was crucial in winning the war. Due to extreme security measures by the US government, they were able to counter these threats.
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President Herbert Hoover[/caption]
When the plans started constructing the dam, it was initially named the Boulder Dam. The Boulder name was borrowed from the Boulder Canyon, which also happened to be the first ideal location of the damn. The Hoover Dam was constructed at the Black Canyon but retained the Boulder Dam name. However, in 1930, Ray Wilbur, the sitting Secretary of the Interior, declared the damn would be named after Herbert Hoover, who was the president when the project was approved. Unfortunately, Hoover lost the presidential election in 1932, and Franklin D. Roosevelt refused to support the renaming. Roosevelt's administration retained the Boulder Dam; however, in 1947, Congress renamed the dam after Hoover to show appreciation for his immense contribution to the project.
When Hoover Damn was constructed, it was 726 feet tall, granting it the title of the tallest dam in the world. The record-breaking height was impressive since the dam was built on the Black Canyon (Colorado River), and the canyon had difficult conditions. The dam held the title for over three decades, until 1968 when Oroville Dam in North Carolina took the title with a height of 770 feet. The Hoover Dam remains the second tallest dam in the country.
Lake Mead is one of the massive products of the Hoover Dam. The lake was created by blocking some of the water from the Colorado River, and it boasts a water capacity of 26 million acre-feet. The national gem is located between Nevada and Arizona, providing water to residents of multiple states. Apart from supplying hydroelectric power using the Hoover Dam's generators, the lake enables irrigation in various regions while maintaining the flow of Colorado River to downstream communities. Sadly, due to prolonged drought and increased water demand, the water levels in Lake Mead have been steadily falling.
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Construction Worker at Hoover Dam[/caption]1. Deaths During Construction
The Hoover Dam construction happened between 1931 and 1936, and official records show that at least 96 workers died during this period. The deaths were associated with industrial accidents, like equipment malfunctions. Even though the recorded figure was 96, it doesn’t include indirect fatalities or unrecorded incidents. At least 46 workers were reported to have died later on due to work-related conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning. The Tierney family remains among the most significant causalities in the Hoover Dam deaths, having lost two relatives: J.G. Tierney (died on December 20, 1922) and his son Patrick Tierney (died on December 20, 1935).
2. No Dead Body is Buried Under the Dam
The deaths associated with the construction of the dam triggered many myths, including the story that there was a dead body buried under the Hoover Dam. The urban myth is derived from an actual incident on November 11, 1933, during the construction, when W.A. Jameson fell and ended up being buried under concrete. However, an official report by Connie Castle, the Hoover Dam’s Public Affairs Specialist at that time, showed that the body of Jameson was recovered 16 hours later after the accident happened. Jameson’s colleagues toiled to exhume his body from the concrete foam, at least to comfort his friends and family. Engineering experts have also reported that any bodies buried under the damn would affect the structural integrity of the dam's concrete, causing even more problems.
[caption id="attachment_74807" align="alignnone" width="1080"]
Hoover Dam worker inspecting equipment[/caption]3. Free Entertainment From the Dam Builders
The deaths reported during the construction of the damn were clear evidence of the grueling working conditions. The workers became creative and devised various ways of keeping themselves entertained and motivated. The public eventually made trips to the construction site to witness the massive construction and marvel at the stunts being pulled by the workers. The high-scalers workers were most popular for their dangling tactics, which could only be seen in circuses.
4. Targeted by the NAZIs During World War II
The US wasn't involved in World War II until they uncovered a heinous plot in November 1939. The plot revealed the NAZIs were targeting the Hoover Dam; the plan was to damage a key American economic asset since the dam was the primary power source for the Southern California airplane manufacturing industry. Should the plan have been successful, the US would have suffered massively since the airplane manufacturing industry was crucial in winning the war. Due to extreme security measures by the US government, they were able to counter these threats.
[caption id="attachment_74805" align="alignnone" width="1079"]
President Herbert Hoover[/caption]5. The Dam Was Supposed to Have a Different Name
When the plans started constructing the dam, it was initially named the Boulder Dam. The Boulder name was borrowed from the Boulder Canyon, which also happened to be the first ideal location of the damn. The Hoover Dam was constructed at the Black Canyon but retained the Boulder Dam name. However, in 1930, Ray Wilbur, the sitting Secretary of the Interior, declared the damn would be named after Herbert Hoover, who was the president when the project was approved. Unfortunately, Hoover lost the presidential election in 1932, and Franklin D. Roosevelt refused to support the renaming. Roosevelt's administration retained the Boulder Dam; however, in 1947, Congress renamed the dam after Hoover to show appreciation for his immense contribution to the project.
6. It Was Once the World’s Tallest Dam
When Hoover Damn was constructed, it was 726 feet tall, granting it the title of the tallest dam in the world. The record-breaking height was impressive since the dam was built on the Black Canyon (Colorado River), and the canyon had difficult conditions. The dam held the title for over three decades, until 1968 when Oroville Dam in North Carolina took the title with a height of 770 feet. The Hoover Dam remains the second tallest dam in the country.
7. It's America’s Largest Reservoir
Lake Mead is one of the massive products of the Hoover Dam. The lake was created by blocking some of the water from the Colorado River, and it boasts a water capacity of 26 million acre-feet. The national gem is located between Nevada and Arizona, providing water to residents of multiple states. Apart from supplying hydroelectric power using the Hoover Dam's generators, the lake enables irrigation in various regions while maintaining the flow of Colorado River to downstream communities. Sadly, due to prolonged drought and increased water demand, the water levels in Lake Mead have been steadily falling.