Ever wondered about a river that had to travel three times as far to reach the sea? That’s the story of Nahal Naaman and the Kare Na’aman Nature Reserve.
Welcome to Kare Na’aman Nature Reserve. This area was once a vast swampland. It stretched far and wide around the Naaman River springs.
The springs barely rise five meters above sea level. They sit only four kilometers from the Mediterranean. But sand dunes blocked a direct path to the Akko sea. The river had to meander north to overcome this barrier. This tripled its journey.
These unique conditions fostered large swamps. They spanned approximately 1600 hectares. However these swamps brought a serious problem. Malaria was rife here.
In 1925, the KKL-JNF stepped in. They purchased land north of Nahal Naaman. Later in 1938, Kfar Masaryk and Ein Hamifratz kibbutzim were established. Kibbutz Afek followed. These settlements faced a daunting task. They had to combat the swamps. Their goal was to protect cultivated lands from flooding. They drained springs into canals. The Naaman River became a channel. This accelerated the river’s flow and that is how it remains today.
During the British Mandate, drainage efforts intensified. In 1942, spring water was diverted to Haifa Bay. It was used for cooling at the refineries. The swamps transformed into fields and fish ponds. The remaining swamp pockets became nature reserves. These reserves aimed to safeguard the unique swamp flora and fauna.
The Ein Afek springs have suffered in recent years. Wells have drained them completely. Some water is now redirected from the wells to the Ein Afek reserve. From there, it flows into the Naaman River. Water also comes from fish ponds and agricultural runoff. This has helped restore Naaman River as a perennial stream.
In 2007, a major restoration project began. KKL-JNF partnered with various organizations. These included the Western Galilee River Authority and several ministries. The stream channel was deepened. 15000 tons of residue were removed. A garbage dump at the southern entrance was eliminated. Eucalyptus groves were treated. Picnic tables and benches were installed. Paths were paved along both riverbanks. The Naaman River Authority built bridges and installed information signs.
Today, the Kare Na’aman Nature Reserve is a beautiful place. Local residents enjoy leisure time here. They ride bicycles and walk by the river. The story of this reserve is a testament to human intervention. It shows how a malaria-infested swamp was transformed. It became a place of natural beauty and recreation. It also highlights the challenges of balancing development and environmental preservation. As you explore this revitalized landscape, remember the journey of Nahal Naaman. It is a journey against the odds.