Dam that's big

One of the original seven engineering wonders of the world, the Boulder Dam, later renamed for Herbert Hoover who spearheaded the project, has been on my list for a long time. Even while they were working on it, many of the engineers didn't believe success was possible.
Work began with 4 massive diversion tunnels upstream which took longer to construct than the dam. They built the world's largest cabling system to pour concrete and worked nonstop for two years on the dam. Came in under budget and ahead of schedule, and electricity sales paid it off long ago. Plus, it reduced springtime flooding and made agricultural success for the region,a desert, possible.
We did the power station tour where water is piped into smaller diameter lines until it reaches the turbines. There's 8 turbines for nevada power and 9 for Arizona.
Love this stuff.

High Scalers were the guys that swung from the walls, setting charges etc. This bronze commemorates their efforts and was also the inspiration for a really good pale ale I enjoyed at Boulder City Brewing Co the night before.
96 died during construction, and none are buried in the dam.