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Moscow (river) or Moskva, river in western Russia, flowing through Moscow Oblast and part of Smolensk Oblast. A tributary of the Oka, the river rises in the west Moscow uplands; fed mostly by snow melt and groundwater, it flows east past the cities of Mozhaysk and Moscow, and joins the Oka just south of Kolomna. The Moscow's main tributaries are the Ruza, Istra, Iauze, Pakhra, and Severka. The Moscow flows for 500 km (310 mi) and drains an area of 17,600 sq km (6,800 sq mi).

The river is an important source of Moscow's water supply and is linked to a reservoir on the Volga River by the Moscow Canal. Other reservoirs regulate the river's flow, and dams facilitate navigation within the city limits. Below Moscow there are a number of dams with locks for boat traffic. The river has ports that handle more than 33 million metric tons of freight annually and two passenger cruise terminals. The river's average navigation period is 215 days per year.

(MSN Encarta)