Chief Joseph Dam and Rufus Woods Lake

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Chief Joseph Dam and Rufus Woods Lake

Owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Chief Joseph Dam is the nation's second-largest hydropower producer in the United States

CHIEF JOSEPH DAM
Built and owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Chief Joseph Dam is the nation's second-leading producer of hydropower. RUFUS WOODS LAKE
Rufus Woods Lake, the dammed-up section of the Columbia River on the upstream side of Chief Joseph Dam, is a 51-river-mile lake that extends to Grand Coulee Dam. Rufus Woods Lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities.

06/04/2026

Public Tours Return to Chief Joseph Dam!

We are thrilled to announce that public tours of the Chief Joseph Dam are officially back starting this Friday, June 5th! Whether you're a local or just visiting the area, this is a fantastic opportunity to get an up-close look at the facility.

Tour Schedule:
Days: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Times: 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Meet us at the front gate to the facility.

Season: Tours will run throughout the summer until September.

Important Visitor Requirements:
To ensure a safe experience for everyone, please keep the following rules in mind:

✅ Closed-toe shoes are mandatory for all participants.
✅ Please bring a valid photo ID.
🚫 No strollers allowed on the tour.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing the history and engineering behind the dam!

06/01/2026

Fishing is a lot of fun even when a big fish gets away. Please play it safe and always wear a life jacket when fishing from a kayak, boat, the shore, or a dock. Please Wear It

05/25/2026

Today and throughout the year take time to remember the lives lost fighting for our freedom.

05/21/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY

For this month's Throwback Thursday, we are heading back to 1954 to witness a massive milestone in the construction of Chief Joseph Dam: the installation of the penstocks.

These aren't your average pipes. These penstocks measure a staggering 25 feet in diameter. Because of their immense size, they couldn't be shipped in one piece. Instead, they arrived piecemeal by rail. Once on-site, skilled welders worked meticulously to join the sections together before they were finally moved into place.

These giant steel tubes are what carry water from the intake to the turbines, providing the force needed to generate the clean hydropower that fuels our region today.

It is incredible to look back at the engineering feats and the hard work of the crews who built this project from the ground up.

05/18/2026

Celebrate by getting prepared for boating season! The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state. www.boatus.org/free

05/15/2026

The Bite is On at Chief Joseph Dam!

Calling all anglers! If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to get your lines in the water, this is it. We are hearing reports that the fishing is heating up, and the Triploid Rainbow Trout are active.

Three of our favorite recreation spots are ready for you: Brandt's Landing, Debris Basin & Willow Flats.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or just looking for a relaxing day by the water, these locations offer great access to the legendary "triploids" of Rufus Woods Lake. These trout are known for their size and fighting spirit, making for an unforgettable catch.

Grab your gear, pack a lunch, and head on down to the river. We’ll see you on the shoreline!

05/13/2026

WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY

Welcome to another Wildlife Wednesday! This week, we are highlighting a special rescue mission by our Chief Joseph Dam park rangers.

These Canada goose goslings found themselves stranded near the dam structure after getting separated from their parents. Knowing the dam isn't a safe place for them to grow up, our rangers stepped in to help using a very highly specialized piece of rescue equipment: a bucket!

The goslings were safely scooped up and chauffeured away from the concrete. They were successfully relocated to a nearby pond area known for nesting geese, providing them with a much safer natural habitat to thrive in.

Fun Fact: Canada goose babies are "precocial." This means they hatch with their eyes open, covered in down, and are able to walk, swim, and find their own food almost immediately. However, they still need a safe environment to grow their flight feathers.

A big thank you to our natural resources team for their quick thinking and continuous dedication to protecting our local wildlife.

05/11/2026

Many people drown every year trying to retrieve their boat. Using the right knot is critical to making sure your vessel is secure, so it doesn’t drift away. Remember, to always wear a life jacket when you’re retrieving anything in the water.

04/20/2026

Inflatable life jackets are comfortable to wear and require regular maintenance to ensure they work properly. Some type of inspection is needed before every use, every 2-6 months, and annually. Refer to the owner's manual for maintenance requirements.

04/15/2026

Happy Wildlife Wednesday!

Talk about a successful fishing trip! This incredible osprey, also known as a "fish hawk," was spotted making short work of its lunch near the dam.

Ospreys are true masters of the hunt with a 70% hunting success rate. They can spot fish from high above the water before plummeting feet-first in a spectacular dive to sn**ch their prey. Did you know their outer toe is reversible? This allows them to grip a slippery fish with two toes in front and two behind for better aerodynamics in flight.

You'll often see them nesting on high platforms, and man-made structures like this light pole make for a perfect perch with a view. Seeing these skilled raptors thriving is a great sign of a healthy fish population in the Columbia River.

Address

1 Foster Creek Road
Bridgeport, WA
98813

Telephone

+15096863556

Website

https://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Locks-and-Dams/Chief-Joseph-Dam/

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