Which is Bigger Grand Coulee or Hoover Dam?

The Grand Coulee Dam is larger than the Hoover Dam. The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric power-producing facility in the United States, while the Hoover Dam is a major producer of hydroelectric power as well, but it is not as large as the Grand Coulee Dam.

Differences Between Grand Coulee Dam and Hoover Dam

The Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam are both large hydroelectric dams in the United States, but they have some notable differences.

Size 

The main difference between the Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam is their size. The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric power-producing facility in the United States, it is 550 feet tall and stretches for 5,223 feet, while the Hoover Dam is 726.4 feet tall and stretches for 1,244 feet, making it significantly smaller in comparison. 

Location 

While the size is one of the main differences between the Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam, another key difference is their location. The Grand Coulee Dam is located on the Columbia River in Washington state, while the Hoover Dam is located on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. 

This means that the two dams are located in different regions of the country, and the environment and climate around them are also different. This can have an impact on the operations of the dams, and the way they were built to withstand the specific conditions of their location.

Purpose

Another difference between the Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam is their purpose. The Grand Coulee Dam was primarily built for irrigation and flood control, while the Hoover Dam was built primarily to control the Colorado River and provide hydroelectric power. The Grand Coulee Dam was built to provide irrigation water for agriculture in the dry regions of eastern Washington and to generate hydroelectric power. It also helps in controlling the flooding of the Columbia River. 

However, the Hoover Dam was built to control the Colorado River, which flooded often, and generated hydroelectric power. It supplies Southwest irrigation and other uses. In their design, construction, and operation, the two dams had different goals.

Related Reading: Ultimate Hoover Dam Self-Guided Tour

Power Generation

Another key difference between the Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam is their power generation capacity. The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric power-producing facility in the United States, it generates about 6,809 megawatts of electricity. 

On the other hand, Hoover Dam generates about 2,074 megawatts of electricity. This means that the Grand Coulee Dam is able to generate significantly more electricity than the Hoover Dam. This is due to a combination of factors, such as the size of the dam, the volume of water that flows through it, and the efficiency of the power-generating equipment. Additionally, The Grand Coulee Dam has a much larger reservoir than the Hoover Dam, which allows it to generate more electricity by releasing more water through its turbines.

Construction 

Another difference between the Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam is their construction time. The Grand Coulee Dam was built between 1933 and 1942, while the Hoover Dam was built between 1931 and 1935. This means that the Hoover Dam was built in a shorter time period compared to the Grand Coulee Dam.

Hoover Dam construction took five years, while Grand Coulee Dam construction took nearly ten. The construction time differs due to dam size, resources, and technology. The Great Depression allowed for a larger workforce to build the Hoover Dam, which may have shortened its construction time.

Visitors

Another difference between the Grand Coulee Dam and the Hoover Dam is the number of visitors they receive. Both dams are popular tourist destinations, but the Hoover Dam receives many more visitors than the Grand Coulee Dam. The Hoover Dam is a popular tourist attraction and receives over a million visitors annually. This is due to its location near Las Vegas, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, and its status as a National Historic Landmark. Hoover Dam Tours are the most popular tour from Las Vegas.

On the other hand, The Grand Coulee Dam is not as easily accessible as the Hoover Dam and receives fewer visitors. Despite that, it still offers tours, a visitors center, and several other activities that attract visitors from all over the country.