That Dam Thing!! by beachzz
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
My sister and I visited Hoover Dam over the weekend. I was absolutely blown away by it. The fact that it was built in the 30's without all the technology we have now is beyond awesome. We took a tour of the power plant, were under that dam thing (the structure on the bottom left---it's where the turbines are located) !! I could feel the vibration of the water as we stood and listened to the guide. There is a huge amount of info about Hoover Dam; I can't even begin to tell you a tiny fraction of it.
I was standing on the new bridge that spans the gap--yet another engineering marvel!! I wanted to be UNDER it of course, but that proved to be impossible (well almost, I did get a couple of shots as we drove to it!!).
One very interesting factoid--water can NEVER go OVER the dam. It would destroy the turbines below. There are diversion dams off to each side. Only twice in its existence have they been used. Once right after it was built, to test them. And in 1983, when there was so much snow it filled the lake to capacity. I saw a foto--wow, what a sight that must have been!!
Comments (20)
durleybeachbum
I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip..my brother went this w=year too an also found it fab!
jayfar
This is without a shadow of doubt wonderful!
KateBlack10
Awesome photo and narrative! It is amazing that was built in the 30's - it is massive! Great photo!
auntietk
Fantastic image! I love the shadow of the bridge. Excellent work!
bazza
Fantastic capture Marilyn now what I want to know is who painted the rocks on each side behind the dam thing white LOL.. fabulous engineering feat seen about the building of it on TV..
anahata.c
a wonderful looming photo, Marilyn, with such calm clear water behind, and a fine play of shadow against the reddish & yellow surfaces. For all the bigness of the image, it actually feels "intimate"...I don't know how you managed that, but you did. Almost like a private view. You really caught the plunge too. And I didn't know ANY of that about the dam---I thought the water did go down this surface. Shows you I know nothing about dams...A fine piece of light & shadow work: I hope you have more...this really makes me want to see this place.
Meisiekind
Oh wow my friend - This is awesome. I love the shadow of the bridge against the dam wall! I'm also going to Vegas in Jan, but just a day, so I won't have time to visit this marvel!
bmac62
I've been looking for your shadow with camera in hand... Great shot. I drove across the top of the dam in the early 1960s. I had no idea there was a new bridge there...we've got to see that one of these days. Beautiful shot.
awjay
very impressive structure
sharky_
I'm pretty sure your shadow in on that bridge... Nice capture. Aloha
blinkings
Oh yeah I've been there!!!! You included some great dam info too, and that dam bridge shadow is great! A dam fine job all around. It's great that you went on a dam tour with a dam guide, you always learn so much more dam info that way!
MrsRatbag
LOL! Dam good job indeed! I don't think I'd be at all comfortable working in the buildings down there at the bottom, way too much looming water...
Faemike55
Dam fine dam! and brdge! Dam fine capture of them all
vaggabondd
Isn't it always one damn thing Oops I mean one dam thing or another lol. nice capture
Sea_Dog
Awesome - back in October I posted a shot of this bridge from the dam taken the day before it was dedicated - I was wondering if there would be pedestrian access up there. A great shot, you can bet I'll be heading out there on my next visit - the fact there's an excellent microbrewery in Boulder City also counts.
jocko500
I been to the dam but just saw the part of the bridge been build. On youtube there a lot of old footage of the building og the dam. here a link to it http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=building+Hoover+Dam&aq=f
costapanos
That's one fine dam picture and shadow
KnightWolverine
I am you dam tour guide...please feel free to take all the dam pictures you like..lol...and please keep all your dam questions brief...hehehe... Dam this is a nice capture..
Chipka
I zoomed. Naturally. I zoomed because I tried (like Bill) to see if I could find your shadow. And then I just though...Nah, this is just way too big! And yeah, that's an amazing structure; a true marvel. I don't use the word "awesome" very much, but the Hoover Dam is awesome...something that big, built without the stuff we use today is just astounding...it ranks right up there with building pyramids without bulldozers and cranes. I love the POV here and the real sense of scale you caught. This is amazing!
danapommet
Fantastic shot with the bridge's shadow on the dam. I haven't been there since the bridge was built. Dana