Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam or Old World Wall is a concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River in 2281. It lies on the border between the former U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada and serves as a major flashpoint for the factions of the Mojave Wasteland.

Background
One of the wonders of the Old World, Hoover Dam crosses the Colorado River, impounding Lake Mead to the north. The structure served as one of the most substantial sources of electrical power in the region before and after the war, protected with anti-aircraft weapons.

When the Great War first broke out, some of Mr. House's networked mainframes and laser systems kept the Hoover Dam in almost untouched condition, along with a majority of Las Vegas. Afterward, the plant was abandoned and left to the elements for nearly two centuries. The Followers of the Apocalypse would confirm the continued existence of Hoover Dam as early as 2170, and in 2274, Hoover Dam was occupied by the New California Republic (NCR) during their Mojave Campaign.

The Mojave chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel had plans to claim the dam, but became sidetracked at HELIOS One. In the meantime, NCR scouts arrived at Hoover Dam, causing Mr. House to spur into action at the sign of civilization. He sent his Securitron army out onto the New Vegas Strip and rallied the tribals occupying the city, ensuring that when the NCR first reached New Vegas, they would return with stories of a city of lights in the middle of the desert, bringing in the tourist revenue required for Mr. House to carry forward his plans.

He worried about the independence of his new city's power source, but the arrival of Caesar's Legion in the region meant that the NCR could not take the dam and the Strip without leaving them vulnerable to the Legion. Mr. House and the NCR drew up the Treaty of New Vegas, resulting in 95% of the dam's power output going to the NCR, and in return Vegas' sovereignty. Within a year of the treaty, the NCR had the dam running at 50% capacity.

First Battle of Hoover Dam
In 2277, the Legion, led by the Malpais Legate, attempted to take Hoover Dam, but were defeated shortly after by Chief Hanlon, alongside NCR Rangers and First Recon sharpshooters, who performed a tactical retreat, placing explosives ahead of time to lead and trap the Legion's elite forces in Boulder City, springing the trap and detonating the town and everyone in it. The result was General Oliver able to both successfully hold the dam and push back the Legion's main force. After the Battle of Willow Beach and the Battle of Arizona Spillway, the dam stands once more at the center of the conflict between the two opposing forces, who face the inevitability of a second battle in the near future.

To weigh the events in favor of the Republic, Colonel Cassandra Moore and General Lee Oliver have fortified the dam and stationed a significant military presence here to once again face the Legion. While troopers are active here, there are also a large number of civilian contractors and engineers who are trying to keep the dam running as smoothly as possible.

Layout


Hoover Dam covers a large area with extensive exterior and interior sections, despite there only being one map marker for the entire location. Following the Colorado River downstream (or coming upstream from Cottonwood Cove), the player character will encounter a pontoon barrier.

Western exterior
The west side of the dam is controlled by the NCR and features the anti-aircraft gun seen on billboards. The fast-travel map marker puts the player character just outside of the entrance to the Hoover Dam visitor center along former Highway 93, south of the Nevada Spillway. Just north of the visitor center building is a stage and viewing area. To the west of the stage is a large anti-aircraft cannon. Across from the visitor center stands the Hoover Dam dedication monument.

Atop the dam
Continuing north along the barricaded road leads to the top of the dam itself. Two towers are along the south edge of the road. Access to Hoover Dam Intake Tower 01 and 02 is via a bridge connected to the north side of the road. The road ends at a checkpoint door which is inaccessible until any of the final quests, such as Eureka!. The checkpoint contains a Very Hard locked terminal and a few lockers with minor loot. It also houses a small sniper nest on the roof, accessible via a ladder.

Base of the dam
Access to the north and south bases of the dam is blocked off by a pontoon barrier constructed with toxic waste barrels, which holds sections of the chain link fence in place along the top of the water. Weights keep the submerged ends in place and the whole structure taut.

The south base of the dam is accessible by descending through interior sections of the dam and exiting from the second tier of either Hoover Dam Power Plant 02 or 04. There are spectacular gushes of water from outflow pipes high up on the east and west walls of the river canyon. It is possible to swim from the west to the east side and climb up on the concrete area by swimming all the way to the south end and walking up the sandbar to the southeast corner.

Eastern exterior
The east side of the dam is controlled by the Legion. Going west along the barricaded road leads to the top of the dam itself. Access to Hoover Dam Intake Tower 03 and 04 is via a bridge connected to the north side of the road. There are two towers along the south edge of the road; one is ruined. The Arizona Spillway is situated on this side of the dam, south of the roadway.

Notable loot

 * Hoover Dam snow globe - On the central reception desk in the visitor center.
 * Two Chinese stealth armors - In the offices' radioactive barrel storage, in the middle stack of crates.
 * President Kimball's suit - Can be looted off his corpse if he dies during the quests Arizona Killer or You'll Know It When It Happens.
 * General Oliver's uniform - Can be looted off his corpse during the quest Veni, Vidi, Vici and No Gods, No Masters.
 * 12 frag grenades - In a locker in intake tower 2.
 * Hoover Dam saferoom key - One found in each of the three desks in a large T-shaped room between the central and eastern wings of Hoover Dam offices, with another being found in a desk in the room directly to the right after entering through the Hoover Dam power plant 01 door. Opens a saferoom in the second floor of the visitor center that contains nothing of interest.
 * Elaine's letter - Next to a bed in the soldiers' quarters around the corner from Quartermaster Bardon, in the Hoover Dam offices.

Appearances
Hoover Dam appears only in Fallout: New Vegas, and is mentioned in its add-ons Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, and Lonesome Road.