Abstract: Achievements in construction of concrete face rockfill dams (CFRDs) is remarkable in China, particularly in rapid development and large quantities of high dams. But certain dangerous situations have appeared with these dams: serious seepage, structural crack, vertical joint extrusion damage, etc., especially with high dams. This paper sums up the current situations of this type and challenges to the design and construction of high CFRDs, and identifies technical problems in the existing design theory, analysis method and technical standard. Our analysis reveals three major problems: insufficient research on design theory, low accuracy in analysis method, and lack of good integrity in technical standard. Therefore, we suggest a new design concept of high CFRDs that focuses on face panel reliability and considers four aspects: control of dam deformation, durability of the panels, adaptive capability of the panels, and repairing of dam body.