Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is the main thoroughfare for this part of Nevada to Arizona. Three lanes of motorway go down to one and there are restrictions as to the type of vehicle that can cross the dam. They are partway through building a bypass to alleviate the strain on the dam. I was most surprised to see that small trucks were permitted to cross the dam as this magnificent edifice is not getting any younger. Completed in 1936 it was then the worlds largest concrete structure, being now superceeded by the Grand Coulee Dam, and is now the worlds 38th largest hydroelectric power station.

As is the case with most heritage centres, money must be made and they charge for virtually everything, if you are not in the know. Thankfully the only penny we spent was in the ladies "restrooms" on the side of the dam. Having driven over the dam we parked in a free car park on the otherside and walked down various sets of staircases to commence our walk over the dam. There are two vast overspills on either side of the dam which are crowned with small bridges which link the road and the dam. Needless to say, being a fan of terra firma, I ran over both of these until I was on "solid" ground, much to the amusement of my friends!

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, Hoover Dam is one of the seven wonders of the United States of America. Check out the other six. They are pretty impressive!