Questions and Answers
What city benefited first from construction of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River?
Las Vegas
Who wrote the book Cadillac Desert?
Marc Reisner
Who was John Wesley Powell?
Explorer who was the first to go down the Colorado River
Who was Floyd Dominy?
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Who in 1922 convened the western states to divide the waters of the Colorado?
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Who was left out of that water rights allocation?
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What is another name for Hoover Dam?
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What federal agency designed and built the Hoover Dam?
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How much rain does Las Vegas receive each year?
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How many people move to Las Vegas every week?
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How much water does a resident of Las Vegas use every day?
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What was a 'High-Scaler'?
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Given the concrete used, what was the equivalent amount of concrete potential in building a road?
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What lake was formed behind Hoover Dam?
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How much did the Hoover Dam cost?
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How long was the dam designed to last?
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What dam was built in 1956?
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What is the name of the lake that was formed by the Glen Canyon Dam?
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What was the Glen Canyon Dam primarily built for and what city did it benefit?
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What movement was kick-off by the Glen Canyon Dam?
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Does the Colorado River reach the sea?
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What river was dammed in the creation of the Grand Coulee Dam?
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Who referred to themselves as the 'Messiah'?
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Study Notes
Hoover Dam and Its Impact
- Las Vegas was the first city to benefit from the construction of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River.
- The Hoover Dam is also known as Boulder Dam.
- The US Bureau of Reclamation designed and built the Hoover Dam.
- Hoover Dam cost $553 million and was designed to last thousands of years.
- Lake Mead was formed behind the Hoover Dam, serving as a crucial water resource.
Key Figures and Events
- Marc Reisner authored the influential book "Cadillac Desert," discussing water management in the U.S.
- John Wesley Powell was the first explorer to navigate the Colorado River, highlighting its significance.
- Floyd Dominy served as the Commissioner of the US Bureau of Reclamation and famously referred to himself as the "Messiah."
- Herbert Hoover convened western states in 1922 to divide the waters of the Colorado, excluding Mexico and Native Americans from negotiations.
Population and Water Usage in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas receives only 3 inches of rain annually.
- Approximately 1,000 people move to Las Vegas every week, contributing to its rapid growth.
- Each resident of Las Vegas uses about 350 gallons of water every day.
Construction Challenges
- High-Scalers were specialized workers responsible for removing loose rocks from the dam site using ropes.
- The amount of concrete used in the Hoover Dam could theoretically be enough to build a highway from San Francisco to New York.
Other Notable Dams
- The Glen Canyon Dam, completed in 1956, primarily supplied hydroelectric power and benefitted Phoenix.
- Lake Powell was formed as a result of the Glen Canyon Dam construction.
- The creation of the Glen Canyon Dam sparked the environmental movement due to its ecological impact.
Colorado River Facts
- The Colorado River does not consistently reach the sea, only doing so during particularly wet years.
- The Columbia River was dammed to create the Grand Coulee Dam, another significant infrastructure project.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key concepts and figures from the book 'Cadillac Desert' by Marc Reisner. These flashcards cover significant historical events, such as the Hoover Dam construction and prominent individuals like John Wesley Powell and Floyd Dominy. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of water resource management and environmental studies.
