Nahal Betzet

Nahal Betzet

Nahal Betzet (Hebrew: נחל בצת‎, Arabic: Wadi Karkara‎) (lit. "Betzet stream") is a once-perennial and now intermittent stream in the Upper Galilee, Israel.

Geography

Keshet Cave

The stream crosses the border from Lebanon into Israel between Shtula and Zar'it, and flows westward, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea south of Rosh HaNikra. The stream runs along a geological fault line through Dolostone and Limestone, and is fed along its course by springs. Currently, Mekorot (the national water company) pumps the water of the stream's springs, and has been accused of causing the stream to dry up.^[1] Many caves are formed on the banks of the stream, most notably the Keshet Cave.

Nature reserve

Most of the stream is part of a nature reserve that bears its name.^[2] The reserve, declared in 1972 covers 7650-dunam^[3] and part of it reaches the Israel-Lebanese border. In 2009, 1225 dunams were added to the reserve.

Flora in the area includes Nerium oleander, Platanus orientalis, and Adiantum capillus-veneris.

References

1. ^ "Nahal Betzet Nature Reserve" (in Hebrew). iNature.info. http://www.inature.info/wiki/%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%AA_%D7%A0%D7%97%D7%9C_%D7%91%D7%A6%D7%AA. Retrieved 2010-10-05. 
2. ^ "Nahal Betzet Nature Reserve". ProtectedPlanet.com. http://www.protectedplanet.net/sites/Nahal_Bezet_Nature_Reserve. 
3. ^ "List of National Parks and Nature Reserves" (in Hebrew). Israel Nature and Parks Authority. http://parks.org.il/sigalit/muchrazim.pdf. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 

External links

• Real Estate Developers and Environmentalists Clash Over Nahal Betzet Beach in Western Galilee
• Hike in Nahal Betzet