Nahal Ayun

Coordinates: 33°16′11.42″N 35°34′40.26″E / 33.2698389°N 35.5778500°E / 33.2698389; 35.5778500

Ayun waterfall

Nahal Ayun (Hebrew: נחל עיון‎, lit. Ayun Stream), is a perennial stream in the Galilee Panhandle, Israel. The stream originates from the springs in the Marjayoun valley in southern Lebanon, and runs southward for seven kilometers in various irrigation ditches, until flowing into Israel near Metulla, as a tributary of the Jordan River in the Hula Valley.^[1]

Tahana waterfall

Nature Reserve

Eshed Fall

Differences in elevation form waterfalls in the streams course. During the rainy winter months, the water-flow is strongest. During the summer months, water is diverted, closer to the stream's sources, for crop irrigation. These falls were declared a nature reserve,^[2] and include:

• Ayun waterfall, 9.2 m
• Tahana waterfall (=flourmill), 21 m
• Eshed waterfall, with two steps, 5 m and 9 m
• Tanur waterfall, 30 m

Flora and fauna

Tree types in the reserve include Pistacia palaestina, Rhamnus palaestinus, and Acer obtusifolium maple. Other growth includes Spanish broom, rubus, Cyclamen persicum, and Anemones.

Grey wagtails can be found during the winter months, as well as white-throated kingfishers and common kestrels.

See also

• Wildlife in Israel
• Tourism in Israel

References

Nature reserves of Israel Northern District Ein Afek Akhziv Islands Alonei Yitzhak Alonei Abba Nahal Amud Nahal Ayun Balfouria Bitan Aharon Nahal Betzet Nahal Dishon Dor Beach and Ma'agan Michael Islands Ein Avazim Ein Elah Ein Nymphit Ein Te'oh Ein Yehuda Nahal Gamal Gamla nature reserve† Snir Stream Hermon nature reserve† Nahal Hermon† Hula Valley Hurshat Tal Hurshat Zakum Kerem Ben Zimra Nahal Kziv Mount Arbel Mount Carmel Mount Gilboa Mount Meron Mount Tabor Pa'ar Cave Rosh HaNikra Shamir-Nahal Rachum Shimron Nahal Taninim Tel Anafa Nahal Tavor Tel Dan Tel Shikmona Nahal Yehiam Central District Adullam Ashdod Nitzanim Sand Dune Park Bnei Zion Avshalom Cave Hadasim Ein Hemed Gador HaMasrek Reserve Har HaTayasim Neot Kedumim Nahal Poleg Nahal Sorek Nitzanim dunes Palmachim beach Tel Yitzhak Te'omim Cave Udim Wadi Og Southern District Ein Gedi Craters in the Negev HaMakhtesh HaGadol HaMakhtesh HaKatan Makhtesh Ramon Eilat Region Coral Beach Nature Reserve Timna Valley Yotvata Hai-Bar † Located in the Israeli-occupied territories