In 1950, Anderson Dam took a year to build.
Anderson Dam being built in the 1950s.
Photo courtesy Valley Water
Dear Answer Man. I’ve had a nagging question on my mind. If the Hoover Dam (on the Colorado river) only took five years to complete, why will it take 10 years to complete our Anderson Reservoir (900 foot) dam?
ANSWER:
Matt Keller, media and public relations supervisor in the office of communications for Valley Water, said the agency would love to build the dam in a shorter period of time.
“When originally constructed in 1950, Anderson took a year to build. Today, however, there are tighter regulations that must be followed, especially in California compared to Nevada, where Hoover is located. There’s a greater understanding about construction impacts on the environment and safety standards are much more advanced than in previous years in the ways that things must be constructed. In considering just the logistics of taking down a dam while it’s still in service, in place and then constructing it basically from scratch, it will take a while.”
Hope that answers your question, and we are looking forward to boating on the lake at the end of the decade.
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