Mahakam

(Kutai), a river in the eastern part of the island of Borneo (Kalimantan), Indonesia. Length, approximately 720 km; basin area, approximately 80,000 sq km. In the upper course it flows in the mountains, where the channel is full of rapids; in the lower course it flows along a marshy plain. It empties into the Makassar Strait, forming a vast delta. The water level is high throughout the year. There is fishing and logs are floated down the river. The Mahakam is navigable in the lower course. The city of Samarinda is located on the river.