Chief Joseph

💧 HydroelectricElectric Utility2,456 MW capacity

2nd largest plant in Washington · 34th nationally

Chief Joseph is a hydroelectric power plant in Washington with a nameplate capacity of 2,456 MW. It generates roughly 9.4M MWh per year — enough to power about 894,355 average U.S. homes.

Its capacity factor of 44% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.

Mid-merit — steady but not full-time

Capacity2,456 MWnameplate

Annual Generation9.4M MWhEPA eGRID

Capacity Factor44%of theoretical max

Annual CO₂—metric tons

Location

Plant Name	Chief Joseph
Operator	Usace Northwestern Division
City	Bridgeport
County	Douglas County
State	Washington
ZIP	98813
Coordinates	47.99510, -119.64040

This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.

Hydroelectric

Generators (27)

ID	Technology	Fuel	Capacity	Status	Online
17	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1977
18	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1977
19	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1977
20	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1978
21	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1978
22	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1978
23	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1978
24	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Out of Service	1979
25	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1979
26	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1979
27	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	95.0 MW	Operating	1979
1	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1958
10	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Out of Service	1955
11	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1955
12	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1955
13	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1957
14	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1957
15	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1957
16	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1957
2	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1958
3	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1958
4	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1958
5	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1957
6	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1956
7	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Out of Service	1956
8	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1956
9	Conventional Hydroelectric	Water	88.2 MW	Operating	1955

Grid context

NERC Region	WECC
Balancing Authority	Bonneville Power Administration

About Hydroelectric plants

Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.

Chief Joseph

Location

Generators (27)

Grid context

About Hydroelectric plants

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