Questions and Answers
What city benefitted 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?
Led the last great scientific expedition of the United States
Who was Floyd Dominy?
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Who in 1922 convened the western states to divide the waters of the Colorado River?
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Who was left out of that water rights allocation?
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Give another name for the Hoover Dam.
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What federal agency designed and built the 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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What were 'high-scalers'?
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What lake was formed behind Hoover Dam?
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How much did Hoover Dam cost?
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How long was Hoover 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 Glen Canyon Dam?
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What was Glen Canyon Dam primarily built for, and what city did it benefit?
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What movement was kicked off by 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 Hoover Dam on the Colorado River.
- Hoover Dam is also known as Boulder Dam.
- The Bureau of Reclamation was the federal agency responsible for designing and building Hoover Dam.
- The cost of constructing Hoover Dam was $53 million, and it was designed to last for thousands of years.
- Lake Mead, formed behind Hoover Dam, serves as a key water reservoir.
Key Figures in Water Management
- Marc Reisner authored the influential book "Cadillac Desert."
- John Wesley Powell led the last significant scientific expedition in the United States.
- Floyd Dominy served as the Commissioner of Reclamation from 1959 to 1969 and referred to himself as the "messiah."
- In 1922, Herbert Hoover convened western states to allocate water rights from the Colorado River, excluding Native Americans and Mexico.
Additional Dams and Environmental Impact
- Glen Canyon Dam was constructed in 1956, primarily to power homes in Phoenix and created Lake Powell.
- The construction of Glen Canyon Dam sparked the environmentalist movement, raising awareness about ecological impacts.
- The Colorado River no longer reaches the sea due to extensive damming and water diversion.
Demographics and Local Conditions
- Las Vegas receives only 3 inches of rain annually, showcasing its arid climate.
- Approximately 1,000 people relocate to Las Vegas each week, contributing to its rapid growth.
- "High-scalers" were workers who climbed canyon walls on ropes during dam construction, highlighting the physical challenges faced in such engineering projects.
Columbia River Damming
- The Grand Coulee Dam was built on the Columbia River, marking significant developments in water management and hydroelectricity in the Pacific Northwest.
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Description
Explore the history and impact of the Hoover Dam on water management in the American West. This quiz covers key figures, such as Marc Reisner and John Wesley Powell, and highlights the environmental implications of dam construction. Test your knowledge on the historical and economic significance of this monumental engineering feat.
