Viewpoints of the Colorado River: Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area

The opening of the US 93 bypass bridge in 2010 has made a visit to Hoover Dam a more pleasurable experience, removing the heavy traffic across the dam and along the narrow, winding approach roads. The dam across the Colorado River was completed in 1935, to form Lake Mead, the surface area of which has decreased markedly in recent years going to droughts and increased water usage. The dam was built towards the north end of a deep, confined section of the river (Black Canyon), most of which remains intact downstream, though rather inaccessible.

Hoover Dam - full description