The dam is 877 km (545 mi) upriver from the mouth of the Columbia at Astoria, Oregon.

It is operated by the USACE Chief Joseph Dam Project Office and the electricity is marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration.

Because of its lack of fish ladders, Chief Joseph Dam completely blocks salmon migration to the upper Columbia River system.

Ten additional turbines were installed between 1973 and 1979, and the dam and lake were raised 3 m (10 ft), boosting the capacity to 2,620 MW, making Chief Joseph Dam the second largest hydroelectric power producer in the United States.

The reservoir behind the dam is named Rufus Woods Lake, and runs 82 km (51 mi) up the river channel.