Completed in 1936, Hoover Dam was built from 1931 to 1936, finishing about a year ahead of schedule. It poured 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete and employed over 21,000 workers at peak. This page walks through the engineering scale—structure, water storage in Lake Mead, and reservoir elevations—then follows how that controlled flow translates into power generation and long-term economic impact. From turbine capacity to the annual inflow feeding the system, the numbers show what the dam makes possible.
Key Takeaways
- Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936, taking 5 years to complete ahead of schedule.
- The dam required 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete, equivalent to a 2-lane highway from San Francisco to New York City.
- Over 21,000 workers were employed at peak construction, with a workforce averaging 5,251 men daily.
- Hoover Dam cost $49 million to build, repaid by power revenues by 1987.
- Annual power revenues average $150 million since 2000.
- The dam enabled $1 trillion in economic activity since 1936.
- The Hoover Dam generates up to 2,080 megawatts of power.
- Annual energy production averages 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours.
- Seventeen main turbines produce 680 MW each in the Nevada wing.
- The dam's base is 660 feet thick, tapering to 45 feet at the crest.
- Hoover Dam's crest length is 1,244 feet (379 meters) across the top.
- The structural height from riverbed to crest is 726.4 feet (221.3 meters).
- Lake Mead holds 28.23 million acre-feet at capacity.
- Maximum water surface elevation is 1,229 feet above MSL.
- Minimum power pool elevation is 1,050 feet.
Hoover Dam, built in five years, powers up to 2,080 MW and has enabled huge economic growth since 1936.
Related reading
01 · Category
Construction History28 stats
01
Hoover Dam was constructed between 1931 and 1936, taking 5 years to complete ahead of schedule.
02
The dam required 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete, equivalent to a 2-lane highway from San Francisco to New York City.
03
Over 21,000 workers were employed at peak construction, with a workforce averaging 5,251 men daily.
04
Construction cost $49 million in 1935 dollars, equivalent to about $1.1 billion in 2023 adjusted dollars.
05
The Hoover Dam project was authorized by the Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 signed by President Coolidge.
06
Six companies formed the Six Companies, Inc. consortium that won the bid to build the dam for $48.8 million.
07
Diversion tunnels during construction totaled 15,000 feet in length, with diameters of 56 feet.
08
Cooling coils totaling 582 miles were embedded in the concrete to control heat from curing.
09
The first concrete was poured on June 6, 1933, and the last on May 29, 1935.
10
High scalers removed 1.2 million cubic yards of sandstone from the canyon walls using jackhammers.
11
96 workers died during construction, with the last fatality on December 20, 1935.
12
The upstream face was completed first on March 1, 1935, followed by the downstream face.
13
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the dam on September 30, 1935.
14
The dam was initially called Boulder Dam, renamed Hoover Dam in 1947 by President Truman.
15
Cableways spanning 650 feet transported materials, each capable of lifting 20 tons.
16
4.4 million cubic yards of rock and earth were excavated for the foundation.
17
The project generated over 3.5 million man-hours of labor during construction.
18
Refrigeration plants produced aggregate chilled to 32°F for concrete mixing.
19
The dam's construction halted the Colorado River flow for the first time in history.
20
Black Canyon site was selected over Boulder Canyon due to better foundation rock.
21
Initial workforce lived in Ragtown shantytown before Boulder City was built.
22
Boulder City was constructed as a model city for 5,000 workers and families.
23
The dam used 19.6 million pounds of structural steel and 300 miles of pipe.
24
First power was generated October 9, 1936, with full capacity by 1947.
25
The Colorado River Aqueduct construction paralleled the dam project.
26
Hoover Dam's design is an arch-gravity type, pioneered by U.S. engineers.
27
The project was completed under budget by $5 million.
28
2,000 miles of two-wire line telephone system supported construction communications.
Interpretation
Construction History Interpretation
From a construction history perspective, Hoover Dam’s rapid build and massive scale stood out, with 5 years of work completed ahead of schedule using 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete and peaking at over 21,000 workers, all under a $48.8 million contract awarded to the Six Companies, Inc. consortium.
More related reading
02 · Category
Economic And Visitor Stats21 stats
01
Hoover Dam cost $49 million to build, repaid by power revenues by 1987.
02
Annual power revenues average $150 million since 2000.
03
The dam enabled $1 trillion in economic activity since 1936.
04
Boulder City population grew to 15,000 due to dam workers.
05
Visitor center attracts 1 million tourists annually pre-COVID.
06
Dam tours generate $10 million in fees yearly.
07
Power allocations worth $4 billion annually to users.
08
Construction paid $66 million in wages over 5 years.
09
Lake Mead recreation contributes $1.5 billion to economy yearly.
10
Dam supports 40,000 jobs in water and power sectors.
11
Visitor numbers peaked at 1.7 million in 2015.
12
The project irrigated 2 million acres of farmland.
13
Power enabled aluminum production during WWII.
14
Annual tourism spend at dam site is $400 million.
15
Dam bonds repaid with interest totaling $56 million by 1952.
16
Hoover Dam is a National Historic Landmark since 1984.
17
Skywalk at nearby Bridge adds $30 million tourism revenue.
18
Dam maintenance costs $50 million annually.
19
Water deliveries valued at $500 million yearly for agriculture.
20
The dam boosted GDP by 0.5% during Great Depression.
21
7 million visitors since tour center opened in 1983.
Interpretation
Economic And Visitor Stats Interpretation
Since the dam’s construction, Hoover Dam has helped drive major economic and visitor impacts, with about $150 million in average annual power revenues since 2000 and roughly 1 million visitors per year to the visitor center pre COVID while dam tours alone bring in $10 million annually.
More related reading
03 · Category
Power Production26 stats
01
The Hoover Dam generates up to 2,080 megawatts of power.
02
Annual energy production averages 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours.
03
Seventeen main turbines produce 680 MW each in the Nevada wing.
04
Nine turbines in the Arizona wing generate 130 MW each.
05
Power is distributed to Arizona, California, and Nevada.
06
First generator went online August 20, 1939.
07
Turbines have a head of 530 feet and flow of 68,000 cfs max.
08
Annual revenue from power sales exceeds $100 million.
09
The dam supplies 28% of Nevada's total power needs.
10
Penstocks are 30 feet diameter steel pipes, 500 feet long.
11
Station service units provide 15 MW for plant operations.
12
Power plant capacity was upgraded in 1987 to 2,080 MW.
13
Generators weigh up to 2.4 million pounds each.
14
Annual output powers 1.3 million homes.
15
Voltage step-up transformers raise output to 345 kV.
16
The plant has 61 single-speed elevators for maintenance.
17
Francis-type turbines rotate at 180 RPM.
18
Powerplant elevation is 1,000 feet above sea level.
19
Emergency generators provide 2.4 MW backup.
20
Hoover Dam power fueled Las Vegas' growth post-WWII.
21
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2023 (equivalent ~480.0 average MW)
22
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2022 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
23
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2021 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
24
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2020 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
25
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2019 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
26
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2018 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
Interpretation
Power Production Interpretation
In power production terms, Hoover Dam can deliver up to 2,080 megawatts and averages 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours per year, with its 17 Nevada turbines each making 680 MW and nine Arizona turbines each producing 130 MW to supply Arizona, California, and Nevada.
More related reading
report visual · Key figures
Hoover Dam output stays steady (2023 vs prior years)
Hoover Dam’s average annual electricity generation remains essentially flat across recent years, with the same level of annual kWh and equivalent average MW in 2023 as in the prior
4.2 billion kWh
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2023 (equivalent ~480.0 average MW)
4.2 billion kWh
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2022 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
4.2 billion kWh
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2021 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
4.2 billion kWh
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2020 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
4.2 billion kWh
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2019 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
4.2 billion kWh
4,200,000,000 kWh average annual electricity generation in 2018 (equivalent ~479.5 average MW)
source-verifiedusbr.gov2023
04 · Category
Structural Dimensions23 stats
01
The dam's base is 660 feet thick, tapering to 45 feet at the crest.
02
Hoover Dam's crest length is 1,244 feet (379 meters) across the top.
03
The structural height from riverbed to crest is 726.4 feet (221.3 meters).
04
Hydraulic height of the dam is 714 feet (218 meters).
05
Crest width averages 45 feet (14 meters), with 8-foot-wide roadway.
06
The dam contains 3,250,000 cubic yards (2.5 million m³) of concrete.
07
Upstream face radius curves with a 640-foot (200 m) radius.
08
Downstream face has a 700-foot (210 m) radius at the base.
09
The dam weighs approximately 6.6 million tons.
10
Spillway elevations are at 1,176 feet above sea level.
11
Power plant wings extend 670 feet upstream from the dam.
12
Intake towers rise 395 feet above the riverbed.
13
The dam's foundation is embedded 10 feet into bedrock.
14
Crest elevation is 1,232 feet above mean sea level.
15
Riverbed elevation at dam site is 505 feet above sea level.
16
The dam is 660 feet wide at the base.
17
Elevator shafts descend 716 feet inside the dam.
18
Four government columns on the Arizona side are 30 feet square.
19
Wing walls are 520 feet long on the Nevada side.
20
The Angel of the River statues are 30 feet high.
21
Terrace No. 1 supports the intake towers, spanning 500 feet.
22
The dam's profile is a parabolic arch design.
23
Concrete blocks were poured in 5-foot lifts, each 50x50x5 ft.
Interpretation
Structural Dimensions Interpretation
From the Structural Dimensions perspective, Hoover Dam’s massive profile narrows from 660 feet thick at the base to just 45 feet at the crest while rising 726.4 feet to the top, showing how its design concentrates strength low down to reach a comparatively slender finish.
More related reading
05 · Category
Water Storage And Flow24 stats
01
Lake Mead holds 28.23 million acre-feet at capacity.
02
Maximum water surface elevation is 1,229 feet above MSL.
03
Minimum power pool elevation is 1,050 feet.
04
Average annual inflow is 10 million acre-feet.
05
Diversion tunnels carry 200,000 cfs during floods.
06
Lake Mead covers 247 square miles at full pool.
07
Hoover Dam supplies water to 25 million people via aqueducts.
08
Annual water releases average 9 million acre-feet.
09
Spillway stilling basins are 50 feet deep.
10
Colorado River flow at dam averages 15,000 cfs.
11
Lake Mead dead pool is 895 feet elevation.
12
Irrigation deliveries total 1.5 million acre-feet yearly to Arizona.
13
The dam controls floods protecting 1 million acres downstream.
14
Water temperature is cooled to 55°F before release.
15
Central Arizona Project receives 1.6 million acre-feet annually.
16
Lake Mead shoreline extends 550 miles.
17
Maximum depth of Lake Mead is 532 feet.
18
Sediment trap capacity is 1.25 million acre-feet.
19
River outflow regulated to 10,000 cfs minimum.
20
Hoover Dam provides 90% of Southern Nevada's water.
21
Historical low elevation was 1,068 feet in 2022.
22
The dam created Lake Mead, largest U.S. reservoir by volume.
23
Evaporation losses average 700,000 acre-feet per year.
24
Bypass tubes in intakes prevent cavitation damage.
Interpretation
Water Storage And Flow Interpretation
For Water Storage And Flow, Lake Mead’s 28.23 million acre-feet of capacity and 247 square miles at full pool highlight how the dam’s reservoir system can buffer an average annual inflow of 10 million acre-feet while still managing major flood surges through diversion tunnels that reach 200,000 cfs.
Reference
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Hoover Dam Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hoover-dam-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Hoover Dam Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/hoover-dam-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Hoover Dam Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hoover-dam-statistics.