Malad (aka Big Wood)
1. Glendale Diversion to Richfield Diversion
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 19.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 19, 2012 |
River Description
Lat / Longitude data are very approximate.Note: according to Amaral's book, the USGS renamed this river 'Malad' in the 1970's. However, at USGS websites, both names seem to work.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI've not run below Magic dam, however, I believe a rating of I/III is misleading and potentially dangerous. The Big Wood River aka Malad River in this section runs through what amounts to a slot canyon. While I'm sure a lot of it is just swirly fun water with a few rapids, there are sections like those just after the river passes under the current Highway 75 bridge (on the East side of the old highway bridge) that have class V/VI drops.
Because of the slot canyon/walled up nature of certain sections, I'm afraid an unexperienced boater might not be able to get out and scout a dangerous drop like the one mentioned above.