Nahal Alexander

Alexander
Alexander stream
Length	28 miles (45 km)

Nahal Alexander (נחל אלכסנדר) is a river that flows from the mountains of Samaria to the Mediterranean Sea, north of Netanya. The length of the river is about 45 km.

Several small streams flow into Nahal Alexander: Nablus, Te'enim, Ometz, Bahan, and Avihail. Most of the river is located in the Hefer Valley.

Soft-shell turtles at Nahal Alexander

Nahal Alexander is the habitat of soft-shell turtles that can reach a size of 1.20 meters and weigh up to 50 kilograms. In addition to giant turtles, there are coots and other waterfowl, nutrias and swamp cats. Indigenous fish include catfish, tilapia, river eels and mullet.^[1]

On the southern bank there are shifting sand dunes and on the northern bank, an eucalyptus grove. On a hill nearby is Hurvat Samra, an ancient ruin that may have been a customs station for goods transported down the river to the port near the estuary.^[2]

In the spring, the hill blooms with anemones, buttercups, and tulips. Beit Yanai beach is located where the river flows into the Mediterranean.^[3] North of the beach are remnants of a quay built in 1938, during the British Mandate. It was used for clandestine Jewish immigration to Palestine when British authorities turned away ships of European Jews fleeing the Nazis.^[4]

Nahal Alexander was named after Hasmonean king of Judaea Alexander Jannaeus.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Geography of Israel
• Wildlife of Israel

References

1. ^ Israel's rivers: Back from the dead, Jerusalem Post
2. ^ Nahal Alexander park
3. ^ Beit Yannai beach yields serenity on winter weekdays
4. ^ Nahal Alexander park

Coordinates: 32°23′46.08″N 34°51′56.53″E / 32.3961333°N 34.8657028°E / 32.3961333; 34.8657028