Malad River (Gooding County, Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malad River |
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Map of the Snake River watershed including the Malad River
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| Other name(s) | Big Wood River, Riviera Malades, Sickly River |
| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| Region | Gooding County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of the Big Wood River & Little Wood River 3,460 ft (1,050 m) 42°56′42″N 114°47′46″W / 42.94500°N 114.79611°W |
| River mouth | Snake River 2,703 ft (824 m) 42°51′45″N 114°54′18″W / 42.86250°N 114.90500°W |
| Length | 12.0 mi (19.3 km) |
| Discharge (location 2) |
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| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 3,000 sq mi (7,800 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Malad River is a river in Idaho, United States. It flows through Gooding County and Oneida County. The Malad River is a smaller river that flows into a bigger one called the Snake River.
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About the Malad River
The Malad River starts when two other rivers meet. These are the Big Wood River and the Little Wood River. This meeting point is close to a town called Gooding.
From there, the Malad River flows for about 12 miles (19 kilometers). It travels south and then west. Finally, it joins the Snake River near Hagerman.
The Malad Gorge and Waterfalls
The river flows through a beautiful area called Thousand Springs State Park. Here, the Malad River creates a stunning stairstep waterfall. It's a really cool sight!
The river also carves out a deep canyon called the Malad Gorge. This gorge is about 250 feet (76 meters) deep. It stretches for about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers).
How the River's Flow Changes
The amount of water in the Malad River can change. This is because of many reservoirs and irrigation systems. These systems are built on the smaller rivers that feed into the Malad.
A lot of the Malad River's water is sent away. It goes into a special channel called a power flume. This flume helps create electricity at a power station. The water then re-enters the Snake River below where the Malad River usually joins it.
Even after some water is taken, the Malad River gets more water. Many natural springs flow into it. However, the river usually has more water before it reaches the power flume than it does at its end.
Part of a Bigger River System
The Malad River is part of a much larger river system. It flows into the Snake River. The Snake River then flows into the Columbia River. This means the Malad River is part of the huge Columbia River basin.
What's in a Name?
The name "Malad" comes from a French word, malade. This word means "sick." Early French-Canadian fur trappers explored this area. They may have gotten sick while they were there. So, they called it Rivière aux Malades, which means "river of the sick." Over time, it became known as the Malad River.
