description Mahakam Overview
The Mahakam is a major river in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, on the island of Borneo. It flows for about 980 km through the province, passes through a chain of lakes in its middle and lower basin, and divides into distributaries in the Mahakam Delta before entering the Makassar Strait. The river is associated with the cities and settlements of the province, supports inland and delta wetlands, and forms an important fluvial and tidal environment for fisheries, transport, and land use.
help Mahakam FAQ
Where does the Mahakam River flow?
The Mahakam is the longest major river in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo. It runs for about 980 kilometers before emptying into the Makassar Strait.
Which city is most closely associated with the Mahakam River?
Samarinda is the best-known major city on the Mahakam and developed as an important river port. The river has long supported transport between inland parts of East Kalimantan and the coast.
What is the Mahakam Delta like?
The lower Mahakam spreads into a complex delta of distributaries, tidal wetlands, mudflats, and mangrove habitat. The delta is ecologically important but also faces pressure from shipping, settlement, aquaculture, and resource extraction.
Why is the Mahakam important to East Kalimantan?
It provides a transport corridor through a region where roads can be difficult to build across forests and wetlands. Its basin also supports fisheries, agriculture, ports, and communities across East Kalimantan. [A hydrology study describes it as a 980-kilometer tropical river](https://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/ocrd/258409.pdf).
explore Explore More
Similar to Mahakam
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
