Hoover Dam Height – American Engineering Icon
Hoover Dam towers 726 feet (221 meters) above the Colorado River bedrock, standing as one of America's greatest engineering achievements and a symbol of New Deal-era ambition. Completed in 1936, this massive concrete arch-gravity dam created Lake Mead—America's largest reservoir—while providing hydroelectric power, flood control, and water supply for the Southwest. The dam's dramatic location in Black Canyon and its Art Deco design elements make it both a functional infrastructure marvel and architectural landmark.
Hoover Dam Quick Facts
- Height: 726 feet (221 meters)
- Base Thickness: 660 feet (201 meters)
- Crest Length: 1,244 feet (379 meters)
- Location: Black Canyon, Nevada-Arizona border
- Completed: 1936
- Primary Use: Water storage, hydroelectric power, flood control
Concrete Giant at 726 Feet
Hoover Dam's 726-foot height required pouring 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete—enough to build a highway from San Francisco to New York. The dam combines two structural principles: an arch shape that transfers water pressure to the canyon walls, and gravity mass that uses sheer weight to resist the Colorado River's force. The innovative construction method involved pouring concrete in individual blocks with cooling pipes running through them, as traditional pouring would have taken 125 years to cure and cool. Engineers circulated ice water through one-inch pipes to accelerate cooling, allowing the dam's completion in just five years.
The dam's thickness tapers from 660 feet at the base to just 45 feet at the crest, creating a curved profile that elegantly distributes the water pressure from Lake Mead. The structure sits on bedrock excavated from Black Canyon, with the foundation extending deep into the canyon floor and walls to provide secure anchoring. The dam contains enough concrete to withstand the pressure from Lake Mead's maximum capacity of 9.3 trillion gallons. Art Deco styling includes sculptural elements, polished terrazzo floors in the power plant, and Oskar Hansen's distinctive intake towers, transforming an engineering structure into architectural art.
Power and Water Management
Hoover Dam's height creates the 590-foot water head pressure that drives 17 hydroelectric generators, producing enough electricity to serve 1.3 million people in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The dam's reservoir, Lake Mead, extends 110 miles upstream and provides water storage crucial for agriculture, industry, and urban areas throughout the Southwest. Visitors can tour the dam's interior, including the massive art deco power plant and observation points offering vertiginous views down the dam face to the Colorado River 726 feet below. The dam attracts approximately seven million visitors annually, making it one of America's top tourist destinations.
Comparison to Other Tall Structures
| Structure | Height | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Bridge | 746 ft (227 m) | 20 feet taller |
| Hoover Dam | 726 ft (221 m) | Engineering marvel |
| Gateway Arch | 630 ft (192 m) | 96 feet shorter |
| Seattle Space Needle | 605 ft (184 m) | 121 feet shorter |
Related American Engineering Landmarks
Explore heights of other iconic structures: Golden Gate Bridge, Gateway Arch, Washington Monument, Brooklyn Bridge, and Mount Rushmore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Hoover Dam?
Hoover Dam stands 726 feet (221 meters) from bedrock to the roadway on its crest, making it one of the world's tallest concrete arch-gravity dams.
How long did it take to build Hoover Dam?
Construction took approximately five years, from 1931 to 1936—remarkably fast for such a massive structure, achieved through innovative concrete cooling techniques and round-the-clock work.
How much concrete is in Hoover Dam?
The dam contains 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete, enough to pave a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York City.
Can you walk on top of Hoover Dam?
Yes, visitors can walk across the dam's crest, which carries U.S. Route 93 and provides spectacular views down both sides—726 feet to the Colorado River and across Lake Mead reservoir.
Does Hoover Dam still generate electricity?
Yes, Hoover Dam's 17 generators continue producing approximately 4 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power annually, serving 1.3 million people in Nevada, Arizona, and California.