Ashdod's "Yarkon": Boats will return to Lahish River after 60 years

After the cruise was stopped in the 1960s, due to its polluted waters, the Lachish River underwent a restoration process and purification boats would return to cruise as early as this spring.

The 1960s did not float here. Kayaking in the Lachish River (Photo: Avi Rokach)

Sailing in the Lachish River (Photo: Avi Rokach, PR)

Since the 1960s, with the industrial development of the city of Ashdod accelerating and the establishment of the port, heavy industrial area, refineries and more, sailing in the Lachish River ceased after its waters were polluted with wastewater and industrial waste.

The municipality of Ashdod and the tourism company, which for many years fought the pollution of the stream and the discharge of wastewater, ended a long process of purification and rehabilitation of the stream, which began in 2005 with a total investment of tens of millions of shekels and from May this year boats will return to fill the stream water.

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Sailing in the Lachish River in Ashdod, 1962 (Photo: Courtesy of the Ashdod City Archives)

Sailing in the Lachish River in Ashdod 1962 (Photo: Courtesy of the Ashdod City Archives, PR)

There were good, clean days. Sailing in Nahal Lachish, 1961 (Photo: Courtesy of the Ashdod City Archives)

Sailing in the Lachish River in Ashdod 1961 (Photo: Courtesy of the Ashdod City Archives, PR)

A regulated pedal boat cruise will be launched

According to the plan, a river section of about 2 kilometers was defined - from the middle of the Lachish River Park to near the estuary south of Ashdod's southern wave break, as a section where a regular pedal boat cruise will operate throughout the week, with the approval and supervision of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport.

The creek waters are regularly checked and monitored by professionals every few days, and found worthy and approved for boating activity by the Ministry of Health for several years. Throughout the cruise activity - water monitoring will be increased and every day a "green flag" will be added to sustain the activity, Independent tests of the Association of Cities of the Environment.

Mayor Dr. Yechiel Lesri said: "We promised to return the creek to the public and did not spare any efforts in restoring the creek, on all creek routes in the area of ​​municipal jurisdiction, including building detailed plans, allocating resources, determination and adherence to the goal and most importantly an unresolved fight against any threat to the creek , And I'm glad to see that all of these are coming to the finish line and the creek is back to its beautiful days! "

The process of restoring the creek started as early as 2005. River Lachish today (Photo: Avi Rokach)

Sailing in the Lachish River (Photo: Avi Rokach, PR)