Dam Water
On our way out of the Grand Canyon, we stopped at another significant point along the Colorado River: the Hoover Dam. The design, structure, and construction of the dam are truly remarkable achievements. Comprised of a series of concrete blocks that flex to transmit the weight of the water to the canyon wall, the whole project was completed ahead of schedule, in less than five years.
The tour of the Art Deco facility, designed from the outset to be a point of pride showcasing American ingenuity, was rather disturbing, however. Loudspeakers throughout, from the exhibition hall to the lookout over the dam, ran an Orwellian continuous loop extolling the virtues of the project. Absent were any mention of the (continuing) water wars that preceded the project, or the environmental impact of the modified Colorado river since. Having seen this after going through the Imperial Valley, I am now motivated to once again attempt to read Cadillac Desert (or watch the documentary) to understand the impact that irrigation and dams have had on the settlement and environment of the West.
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