Olyokma

The Olyokma (Russian: Олёкма, Olyokma, IPA: [ɐˈlʲɵkmə];[1] Yakut: Өлүөхүмэ, Ölüöxüme[1]) is a tributary of the Lena in eastern Siberia.

Olyokma Yakut: Өлүөхүмэ
View of the river
Location in the Sakha Republic, Russia
Location
Country	Yakutia, Russia
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Muroy Range, Olyokma-Stanovik Highlands
• coordinates	53°44′42″N 117°20′16″E
• elevation	1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Mouth
• location	Lena
• coordinates	60°22′27″N 120°40′40″E
• elevation	115 m (377 ft)
Length	1,436 km (892 mi)
Basin size	210,000 km^2 (81,000 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	1,990 m^3/s (70,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression	Lena→ Laptev Sea

History

In the summer of 1631, Russian pioneer Pyotr Beketov entered the Olyokma during his first voyage down the Lena and in 1636 he founded the present-day city of Olyokminsk near the mouth of the river on the left bank of Lena.[2]

Yerofey Khabarov used this river's route to travel from the Lena to the Amur during his mid-17th century expeditions.[1]

Course

The river is 1,436 kilometres (892 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 210,000 square kilometres (81,000 sq mi).[3] The Olyokma rises in the Muroy Range, Olyokma-Stanovik Highlands (Олёкминский Становик), west of Mogocha. It flows north through remote terrain before joining the Lena near Olyokminsk.[4]

To the west is the Vitim, to the south the Shilka and Amur, and to the east the upper Aldan. Its right tributary, the Tungir, leads to a portage to the Shilka. Other tributaries are the Nyukzha and the Chara.[2]

River location

Basin of the Lena

See also

• List of rivers of Russia
• Patom Highlands

References

1. "KNAB, the Place Names Database of EKI". Eki.ee. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
2. Олёкма // Great Soviet Encyclopedia, in 30 vols. / Ch. ed. A.M. Prokhorov . - 3rd ed. - M., 1969-197
3. Река Олёкма in the State Water Register of Russia (Russian)
4. Russian State Water Register - Olyokma River

External links

• Media related to Olyokma River at Wikimedia Commons