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Reclamation temporarily closes Hoover Dam to visitors

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Reclamation temporarily closes Hoover Dam to visitors

The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation has temporarily suspended public visitation to Hoover Dam because of an inability to implement “social distancing” standards recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reclamation says Hoover Dam and the associated 2,078-MW hydro powerhouse, including the visitor center and all tours, will be closed to visitors “until further notice.”

Hoover Dam is a very popular tourist destination, earning billing on TripAdvisor’s top 10 list of most popular U.S. tourist attractions in 2019.

In a press release, Reclamation said: “The health and safety of the public and the people working at the Hoover Dam is our number one priority. Water deliveries and powerplant operations will continue without interruption. Mission essential functions, including security and law enforcement, will continue.”

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier in the U.S. and the nation’s second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Its facilities also provide flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits.