Uncle Sam: The Greatest Builder - WPA Dam Projects, 1937

This silent film from circa 1937 documents the monumental dam construction projects undertaken by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It starts with the removal of rock and sand at the site of the Grand Coulee Dam, highlighting the scale and preparation needed for such an endeavor. The film then moves to Fort Peck, Montana, where steel reinforcements are being erected for an earth dam. General construction scenes at Boulder Dam (now known as Hoover Dam) are shown, including a picturesque view of the packet boat Mark Twain navigating the Mississippi River, symbolizing the transformation of the landscape. The setting of steel reinforcements at Bonneville Dam is captured, followed by sequences of concrete being poured and spread, with dynamite used to clear obstructions, illustrating the engineering prowess and the transformative impact of these WPA projects on America's infrastructure.