Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is a concrete dam located in Clark County, Nevada, built in 1935. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Hoover Dam
The primary purpose of Hoover Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Bureau Of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the Colorado River near Laughlin.
The dam stands 730 feet tall and stretches 1,244 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 162,700 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 30,237,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 167,800 square miles. Completed in 1935, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/09/2023.
At 730 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Nevada dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Nevada |
| County | Clark |
| Nearest City | Laughlin |
| River/Stream | Colorado River |
| Coordinates | 36.01630, -114.73740 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 730 ft |
| Dam Height | 730 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,244 ft |
| Year Completed | 1935 (91 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 30,237,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 30,237,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 28,255,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 162,700 acres |
| Drainage Area | 167,800 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 135,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | BUREAU OF RECLAMATION |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 02/09/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NV10122 |
| Federal ID | NV10122 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |