U.S. 93 Arizona / Nevada

U.S. 93 north of Willow Beach Road prior to four lane expansion, and during the first year of construction for the Hoover Dam Bypass. 10/24/03

The former police check point for Hoover Dam along U.S. 93 was located in the Black Mountains just beyond White Rock Canyon. 10/24/03

The security checkpoint for U.S. 93 north ahead of Hoover Dam was put in place following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 10/24/03

Early construction for the Hoover Dam Bypass along U.S. 93 north ahead of Hoover Dam. 10/24/03

Coupled with a steel arch bridge over Black Canyon, the Hoover Dam Bypass shifted all through traffic off the dam, greatly improving traffic flow and removing the commercial vehicle prohibition along U.S. 93. 10/24/03

The Hoover Dam Bypass was originally anticipated for completion in 2007. It did not open until October 19, 2010. 10/24/03

Traffic along U.S. 93 slowed as the highway entered the Hoover Dam area. Pedestrians were quite common at the parking areas, turnouts, and sidewalks along and adjacent to the dam. 10/24/03

A turnout along U.S. 93 north provided views of Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Black Canyon. 10/24/03

This view of Hoover Dam from U.S. 93 above the Black Canyon, showed the curved face of the concrete structure as well as the elevation difference between Lake Mead and the canyon downriver. 10/24/03

View of a switchback along the U.S. 93 descent into the Black Canyon. The "bath tub ring" visible above Lake Mead is due to water levels that are lower than reservoir capacity. 10/24/03

With 17 electricity-producing turbines, Hoover Dam provides power to the states of Nevada and Arizona; the California cities of Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Riverside, Azusa, Anaheim, Banning, Colton, and Vernon; the Southern California Edison Co.; The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; and the city of Boulder City, Nevada. 10/24/03

Hoover Dam holds back one of the largest reservoirs in the world: Lake Mead. Lake Mead covers a surface area of 247 square miles in parts of southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. 10/24/03

11/12/00

Water from the reservoir is shared, in accordance with the Colorado River Compact by seven states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. 10/24/03

The Upper Basin States, north of Lees Ferry along the Colorado River, have a compact signed October 11, 1948 that allocates their share of the water; the Lower Basin States do not have such an agreement, but they abide by a Supreme Court ruling from October 1962. Mexico also has rights to some river water, in accordance with a treaty with the United States dated February 3, 1944. 11/12/00

U.S. 93 crossed the top of Hoover Dam, which rises 726.40 feet from foundation rock to the roadway on the crest. Unlike most road beds, U.S. 93 rests on top of 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete! It took five years, from 1931 to 1935, to construct Boulder Dam, which was later renamed for President Herbert Hoover. 10/24/03

The high-water line for Lake Mead, according to the Bureau of Reclamation, is 1,229 feet above sea level. 10/24/03

At this elevation, the water would be more than seven and a half feet over the top of the raised spillway gates, which are at elevation 1,221.40 feet. 11/12/00

U.S. 93 north entered the Silver State of Nevada around the midpoint of Hoover Dam. Large clocks on the dam intake towers indicate the time difference between Mountain Standard Time (Arizona) and Pacific Time (Nevada). 10/24/03

Markings indicated the years during the Great Depression it took to construct Hoover Dam, from 1931 to 1935. 10/24/03

U.S. 93 reached the visitor facilities for viewing Hoover Dam. The tower to the left is the visitors center, and the parking area is located just past the center to the right (the parking garage is built into the wall of the canyon). 10/24/03

U.S. 93 straddled the walls of Black Canyon on the ascent from Hoover Dam. 10/24/03

A scenic overlook along U.S. 93 northbound ahead of a power substation for Hoover Dam. 06/01/97

U.S. 93 continued toward a large power substation designed to distribute and transmit electricity generated by Hoover Dam to the western power grid. Customers of Hoover Dam's electricity include Southern California, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and the Intermountain West. 10/24/03

Power lines transmit electricity to the population centers in the region as well as interconnect with other power generation facilities, such as the Glen Canyon Dam near Page, Arizona; the coal-fire plants in Page and Shiprock, New Mexico; a wide variety of natural gas power production facilities; other hydroelectric facilities; and several nuclear facilities (such as Palo Verde in Arizona and San Onofre and Diablo Canyon in California). 10/24/03

The Nevada welcome sign was placed at the top of the grade leading from Black Canyon/Hoover Dam. 10/24/03

U.S. 93 northbound passing the security checkpoint for southbound travelers. Transmission lines installed by 2003 provide additional electricity into the Nevada power grid. 10/24/03

Leaving the bypass alignment, U.S. 93 remained narrow as it conformed to the landscape after the inspection station. On busy weekends, the trip from the dam to Boulder City could take an hour due to the high volume of traffic. 10/24/03

Advancing west, U.S. 93 passed by the former Hacienda Hotel & Casino. Prior to the fire that burned the casino in 1998, the hotel dating back to at least 1982 was called the Gold Strike Inn. The facility is now the Hoover Dam Lodge and Casino. 10/24/03

This view of Lake Mead was seen from U.S. 93 between the Hacienda Hotel and Lakeshore Road (former SR 166). 10/24/03

The intersection with Lakeshore Road was previously signed for SR 166, but that designation was removed when Nevada DOT turned over maintenance responsibilities. 06/01/97

U.S. 93 north at Lakeshore Drive to the nearby Lake Mead National Recreation Area Visitors Center. 10/24/03

Boulder City was founded in 1931 as a base of operations for the construction of Hoover Dam. Unlike most other communities in Nevada, gambling is prohibited in Boulder City. 10/24/03

11/12/00

Formerly designated Nevada State Route 500, Nevada Way looped south from U.S. 93 to the Boulder City Historic District. 10/24/03

11/12/00

The mainline of U.S. 93 follows the "truck bypass," while the" business route" along Nevada Way is locally maintained. 10/24/03

Nevada Way returned to U.S. 93 beyond the intersection with Canyon Road. 10/24/03

This was the first shield for U.S. 93 after the business and bypass routes rejoin west of Boulder City. Several commercial establishments lined the ensuing stretch. 10/24/03

U.S. 93 converged with U.S. 95 north at a diamond interchange in one mile. 10/24/03