The safety of high concrete face rockfill dams (CFRDs) has consistently been a primary focus within the engineering industry. Based on a comprehensive review of the construction and operational status of high CFRDs and the main challenges they face, this study proposes innovative design concepts. These include improvements to constitutive models and refined numerical simulation methods for high CFRDs, investigation into the engineering characteristics of rockfill materials, coordinated deformation design, research on the failure mechanism and prevention of face slab compressive failure, advancements in safety monitoring and intelligent construction technologies, seepage safety design, seismic safety design, and enhanced construction quality control of CFRDs, These advancements aim to improve the accuracy and reliability of high CFRD design. The proposed concepts provide robust support for the intelligent construction and safe operation of CFRDs, Relevant research findings have already been successfully applied to several high CFRD projects, offering valuable theoretical and technical support for their construction and operation.