river rising on the southern slopes of the Bukochan Ridge on the Central Siberian Plateau and flowing mainly through Sakha (Yakutiya), east-central Russia. The total length of the river is 1,424 miles (2,292 km), and it has a drainage basin of 84,500 square miles (219,000 square km). The upper course is characterized by falls and rapids. Below the confluence with the Arga-Sala, its valley widens. Eventually the Olenyok passes onto the North Siberian Lowland, whence it enters the Laptev Sea through a delta. It is navigable as far as Sukhana, about 600 miles from the sea.