We can not yet fly and travel in Europe, but we also have our lakes, and they also have added value • Four ecological lakes that you must know
Ariel Sharon Park Lake
Photography:
Uri Aharon
Spending time by a natural lake in the winter is a common phenomenon among residents of European countries and other northern regions, who have been blessed with natural lakes.
We learned to make do with the beloved Kinneret, which we visit mostly in the summer, and the rest of the time - spend time next to small artificial lakes built in parks in the various cities.
But we also have other lakes in the country, which have added value beyond a pastoral landscape and fun family fun.
Get to know the ecological lakes that have been established around the country due to environmental need.
The lake in Ariel Sharon Park
From the establishment of the state until 1998, the Hiriya waste mountain served as the main waste absorption site of Gush Dan, and was a symbol of an environmental, sanitary and safety hazard.
During the 2000s, the process of restoring the mountain began, which is considered a complex engineering and architectural project.
As part of the project, a system for collecting and treating leachates to prevent river pollution was installed, and the route of the Ayalon and Shafir streams was diverted, both to support the mountain slopes and to create a drainage basin to help prevent flooding in Ayalon lanes, Road 4 and the southern neighborhoods of Tel Aviv and Holon.
Today, the former Waste Mountain has become Ariel Sharon Park, the largest metropolitan park in Israel, offering a variety of leisure and recreational activities, most of which are related to maintaining a green environment.
In the center of the mountain a unique ecological lake has been established, into which the water flows from the underground storage ponds dug in the south of the mountain.
These are pools covered with plastic sheets and filled with layers of gravel, and built on different levels, so that when one pool fills up, the water slides on to the next pool.
The ecological principle behind the method is sustainable conservation that allows reservoirs to be filled in the winter months so that in the summer months the trees can suck the water directly through the root house, and survive without irrigation.
On Saturdays, the mountain complex offers free tours, which tell the story of the restoration of the mountain of waste.
The visit to the site must be arranged in advance.
Sapphire Lake
Sapir Lake, located in the Middle Arava, was established in response to the groundwater source that was discovered at the site.
The water seeped into the foundations of the buildings built in the Sapir desert settlement to the point of damaging them.
In the 1980s, it was decided to drain and store the water from the settlement by creating a small lake.
The sides of the lake were lined with concrete and the bottom was left exposed, to allow the water to rise from it.
Over the years, Sapir Lake has developed into an oasis within Sapir Park.
On one side, a wooden walking path was built that also serves as a fishing surface, and opposite, spacious lawns were planted for playing and playing, and corners for picnics.
All around trees of various types were planted alongside very rich vegetation.
Later, a waterfall also joined the landscape, leading to the lake the desalinated water, from the water desalination built for the residents of Sapir.
The lake became an attraction for birds and animals, and the park itself became a green lung in the heart of the desert.
In the park you can also find a sculpture garden established as part of a community project by local artists and Arava children, a Thai pagoda, a gift from the Thai government, and a unique grove of about 60 baobab trees.
Admission to the park and the lake is free, groups are asked to coordinate arrival in advance by phone: .052-6170271
Lake Yeruham
Lake Yeruham is spread over 250 dunams in the heart of Yeruham Park.
It began its journey after the construction of the Yeruham Lake dam on Nahal Revivim, with the aim of storing floodwaters for irrigation purposes.
Along with being a beautiful and pleasant site for recreation, it plays a role in draining the flood waters of Nahal Revivim, Nahal Yeruham and Nahal Shualim, to which purified water is added that helps maintain the lake level during the dry season.
Over the years, Lake Yeruham has become a large and fun tourist, vacation and fishing park.
The JNF planted groves and orchards around it, and prepared picnic sites and lawns. The lake developed a diverse ecosystem that includes about 270 species of birds, six species of fish, many amphibians, as well as many mammals such as chamois, deer, jackals, foxes and hyenas, which come Drink from the pastoral lake water.Admission is free.
Lakes in Einot Tzukim (Ein Pasha)
Einot Tzukim Nature Reserve in the Dead Sea is an ecologically isolated island from other aquatic habitats.
The reserve grows species unique to the Dead Sea area, such as four species of fish, including the Jordan tilapia and the common tilapia, which are different from the other tilapia in the country.
To these are added dozens of species of birds, insects and mammals, including predators such as hyenas, wolves and more.
In recent decades, due to a consistent decline in the level of the Dead Sea, the habitats in the reserve have begun to dry up and endanger the existence of the flora and fauna in the reserve.
As a result, it was decided to dig three more large pools in its southern part, which store spring water and replace the drying up water reservoirs.
The ponds were populated with local fish species collected in the reserve, including the endangered Dead Sea Navy, and pansies.
Around the small lakes rich vegetation began to flourish, and they became a habitat.
The reserve trails lead to short and easy trails alongside streams, natural pools and open spaces.
In November, the activity "Sun, nature and birds" is offered every Friday and Saturday, which includes guided tours of the hidden reserve.
Entrance fee, arrival by prior arrangement at the Nature Reserves and Parks website.