Nahal Taninim

Nahal Taninim

Nahal Taninim (Hebrew: נחל תנינים‎, lit. Crocodile Stream) is a river in Israel, originating near Ramot Menashe and emptying into the Mediterranean Sea south of Ma'agan Michael. The Arabic name for this river is Wadi a-Zarka.

The area of the basin and its tributaries is about 200 square kilometers, including the Taninim, Ada, Barkan, Alona and Mishmarot streams. Nahal Taninim is the cleanest of Israel’s coastal rivers. Three waterways meet in Nahal Taninim: the natural stream, a Roman aqueduct extending from the Zabrin springs to Caesarea, and Mifale Menashe, the waterworks that collect surface runoff water and springwater, routing it into the subterranean water table.^[1]

The dense undergrowth and reeds along Nahal Taninim are home to many different birds, among them waterside warblers and other songbirds.^[2]

According to a Tel Aviv University zoologist, the name derives from sightings of crocodiles and hippopotamuses by priests and pilgrims who trekked through the swamps three centuries ago.^[3]

References

1. ^ Nahal Taninim Master plan
2. ^ Birding along the Mediterranean
3. ^ Israeli vacationers tiptoeing on beach after reports of crocodile in Sea of Galilee

Coordinates: 32°32′51″N 34°54′54″E / 32.5475°N 34.915°E / 32.5475; 34.915