The Baksan, also known as Azau (Russian: Баксан, Азау) is a river in Kabardino-Balkaria in Russia. It flows east northeast and joins the Malka just before that river joins the northwest bend of the Terek. The Baksan is 169 kilometres (105 mi) long, with a drainage basin of 6,800 square kilometres (2,600 sq mi). The Baksan originates in the glaciers on the south slopes of the Elbrus. Notable tributaries are the and the Cherek. On your ascent of the river, Baksan town and Tyrnyauz lie alongside it, and there is a 25 MW hydropower plant on the river. The A158 roadway lies beside it, and bestrides it several times on the way up to Nationalpark Elbrus.