[1] The river basin includes the Garinskoye iron ore deposit, one of the largest in the Russian Far East,[3] as well as gold prospecting areas.

[5] The original Tungusic name of the river was replaced in 1972 under the USSR administration at the time of the renaming of geographical sites in the Russian Far East.

[6] The name "Orlovka" honors Warrant Officer Orlov, who visited the area in 1847 to trade with the local Evenks on behalf of the Russian-American Company.

[7][2] In 1999, the Orlovsky Zakaznik (Орловский заказник), a 121,456 ha (300,120 acres) protected area, was established in the lower basin of the river.

After its confluence with the Gar, it progresses slowly southwards in a wide floodplain, meandering through swampland dotted with small lakes.