Chief Joseph Dam – Washington

Chief Joseph Dam is a run-of-the-river dam on the Columbia River, located 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) upstream from Bridgeport, Washington. It completely prevents salmon migration to the upper Columbia River system due to the lack of fish ladders. It is the third-largest hydroelectric power producer in the United States, with 27 main generators in the powerhouse and a hydraulic capacity of 6,030 m3/s.

Chief Joseph Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric projects in the United States. It was named after a Nez Perce chief who spent his last years in exile on the Colville Indian Reservation. Because of its lack of fish ladders, it completely blocks salmon migration to the upper Columbia River system.

Rufus Woods Lake, the reservoir behind the dam, extends 82 kilometers (51 miles) up the river channel. Bridgeport State Park, located on the lake, is close to the dam.