USA Guide
The Southwest
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam itself, completed in 1935, was designed to block the Colorado River and provide low-cost electricity for the Southwest, it's among the tallest dams ever built (760ft high), and used enough concrete to build a two-lane highway from the West Coast to New York. Three levels of visit are possible; you can simply explore the Hoover Dam Visitor Center (daily April– Sept 8.30am–5.45pm, Oct– March 9.15am–4.15pm) for $8, or take a half-hour ($11) or two-hour guided tour ($30).