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.
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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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Building Diversion Tunnels
Clip: Season 11 | 2m 47s
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.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Clip: S11 | 44s | Workers moved the Colorado River from the bed it had known for 12 million years. (44s)
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Now PlayingClip: S11 | 2m 47s | The most dangerous phase of Hoover Dam's construction was building the diversion tunnels. (2m 47s)
Preview: S11 Ep3 | 30s | 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.