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American Experience

Building Diversion Tunnels

The most dangerous phase of Hoover Dam's construction was building the diversion tunnels.

Aired 01/18/1999 | Rating NR

American Experience

Building Diversion Tunnels

Clip: Season 11 | 2m 47s

The most dangerous phase of Hoover Dam's construction was building the diversion tunnels.

The most dangerous phase of Hoover Dam's construction was building the diversion tunnels, two on each side of the Colorado River. Blasting holes 56 feet in diameter, three-quarters of a mile through the canyon rock, the workers faced a huge engineering challenge along with strict time constraints. Chief Engineer Frank Crowe solved the problem by building a contraption called a drilling jumbo.

Aired 01/18/1999 | Rating NR

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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Rerouting the Colorado River

Workers moved the Colorado River from the bed it had known for 12 million years. (44s)

Hoover Dam: Moving the Concrete

On June 6, 1933, workers poured the first bucket of concrete that would build the dam. (2m 59s)

The High Scalers of Hoover Dam

During the dam's construction, the job of the high scaler was by far the most dangerous. (2m 33s)

The Government's Plan

Building the 700 foot high dam was only one piece of the puzzle. (1m 6s)

Building Diversion Tunnels

The most dangerous phase of Hoover Dam's construction was building the diversion tunnels. (2m 47s)

Hoover Dam Preview

A preview for Hoover Dam, broadcasting April 17 at 9/8c. (30s)

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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