Chief Joseph

HydroelectricWashingtonFirst unit online 1955

Chief Joseph is a hydroelectric plant in Douglas County, Washington, operated by USACE Northwestern Division. Among the 1,390 hydroelectric plants in the country it is the second-largest. By nameplate capacity it is the 31st-largest power plant in the United States and the second-largest in Washington. Within the Bonneville Power Administration balancing area it is the second-largest of 129 plants.

Nameplate capacity, 2025

2,456 MW

2,456 MW net summer capacity

27 operable units

Hydro2,456 MW100%

Unit by unit, 1955 to 2025

operating in 2025bar height follows unit size

4 units Hydro, 353 MW, 1955

3 units Hydro, 265 MW, 1956

5 units Hydro, 441 MW, 1957

4 units Hydro, 353 MW, 1958

3 units Hydro, 285 MW, 1977

4 units Hydro, 380 MW, 1978

4 units Hydro, 380 MW, 1979

Among Washington’s plants

Largest plants in the state by nameplate capacity, with the plants ranked next to this one.

1Grand Coulee6,809 MW
2Chief Josephthis plant
3Rocky Reach1,349 MW
4Wanapum1,220 MW

All power plants in Washington

Other rankings

Hydroelectric plants in Washington: 2nd of 72
Plants run by USACE Northwestern Division: 1st of 21
Biggest single unit, among Washington’s plants: 41st of 138

Operable units

Unit	Technology	Nameplate	Summer	Online	Status
10	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1955	Out of service, expected back
11	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1955	Out of service, expected back
12	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1955	Out of service, expected back
9	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1955	Out of service, expected back
8	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1956	Out of service
7	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1956	Out of service
6	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1956	Operating
13	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1957	Out of service, expected back
5	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1957	Operating
14	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1957	Operating
15	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1957	Operating
16	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1957	Operating
4	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1958	Operating
3	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1958	Operating
2	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1958	Operating
1	Hydro	88.2 MW	88.2 MW	1958	Operating
17	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1977	Operating
18	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1977	Operating
19	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1977	Out of service, expected back
20	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1978	Operating
21	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1978	Operating
22	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1978	Operating
23	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1978	Operating
24	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1979	Operating
25	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1979	Operating
26	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1979	Operating
27	Hydro	95 MW	95 MW	1979	Operating

Grid and site

Balancing area: Bonneville Power Administration
Reliability region: Western Electricity Coordinating Council
Highest grid connection voltage: 500 kV
Water source: Columbia River
Nearest town on record: Bridgeport
Operator type: Utility
Coordinates: 47.995°N, 119.640°W

Closest plants

Plant	Runs on	Capacity	Distance
Wells	Hydroelectric	867 MW	10.9 mi west
Chelan	Hydroelectric	59.2 MW	20.5 mi southwest
Main Canal Headworks	Hydroelectric	26.8 MW	30.6 mi southeast
Grand Coulee	Hydroelectric	6,809 MW	30.8 mi east
Summer Falls Power Plant	Hydroelectric	92 MW	37.7 mi southeast
Rocky Reach	Hydroelectric	1,349 MW	44.1 mi southwest
Rock Island	Hydroelectric	629 MW	49.5 mi southwest
Wild Horse	Wind	273 MW	71.3 mi south

See every hydroelectric plant in Washington in the plant finder Hydroelectric plants nationwide