Hoover Dam History

Constructed during the Great Depression, Hoover Dam was one of the most ambitious engineering projects in the Silver State. Almost a century after construction, this Nevada landmark is still awe-inspiring, attracting more than 7 million visitors each year. But it’s not just incredible vistas: The dam’s fascinating history—richly detailed through on-site tours—is well worth the price of admission.

Quick Hoover Dam History Facts

Want to see Hoover Dam history up close? Explore the landmark, walk across the dam, and experience one of Nevada’s most iconic engineering marvels in person.

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Hoover Dam Timeline & History

1928: The Boulder Canyon Project Act authorized the dam project, originally called Boulder Dam.

1931: Construction began in Black Canyon, and workers started arriving in the thousands. Most were stationed in the brand-new, federally organized community built to house workers: Boulder City.

1933: Crews completed major Colorado River diversion work, allowing construction to continue in the dry riverbed.

1935: President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the dam before construction was fully complete.

1936: Construction was officially completed, and the Colorado River diversion was removed, forming Lake Mead.

1947: Congress designated the project as Hoover Dam, ending debate over its name.

Why Was Hoover Dam Built?

Although it’s an impressive sight, it’s worth asking why Hoover Dam was built in the first place. In the early 1900s, many Western communities had reached a growth ceiling due to limited water access. A dam on the West’s largest river would create a massive reservoir to manage growth, as well as provide hydroelectric power to millions. 

In the late 1920s, project leaders identified the perfect dam construction site: a narrow gorge on the Nevada-Arizona border called Black Canyon. Congress approved the project, and six contractors formed a joint venture and got to work.

How Was Hoover Dam Built?

To build the dam, workers diverted the Colorado River and constructed two cofferdams to protect the work site from the swiftly moving river. In total, workers used 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete to build the dam and an additional 1,100,000 cubic yards to build the power plant and other infrastructure.

Upon completion in 1936, the dam created the massive Lake Mead reservoir, which is critical for managing water supply and flood control in the region. Today, Hoover Dam is one of the finest examples of American engineering and continues to provide water and power for millions of people in southern Nevada, northern Arizona, and southern California.

Learn more about the construction project through interactive exhibits and authentic artifacts at the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum.

How Much Did It Cost to Build Hoover Dam?

Construction costs for Hoover Dam totaled $49 million, which is roughly $1.16 billion in today’s dollars. The power plant and generators cost an additional $71 million, bringing the larger project cost well beyond the dam structure itself. Worker pay varied by job, but the Bureau of Reclamation notes that wages ranged from 50 cents to $1.25 per hour, with the average dam worker earning about 62.5 cents an hour—roughly $14.85 per hour today.

But the cost wasn’t just in dollars. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, 96 people died in the building of Hoover Dam. Deaths are attributed to falls from the towering canyon walls, machinery accidents, drownings, and rockslides. However, despite all the rumors and urban legends, there are no bodies buried in Hoover Dam.

See Hoover Dam History in Person

Visit Hoover Dam and get an up-close look at one of Nevada’s most famous, larger-than-life landmarks. More than 7 million people from around the world make the journey every year to learn the history of Hoover Dam. Guided tours of both the dam and the power plant are available, though dam tour tickets may only be purchased on site. Power plant tour tickets are available for purchase online.