Flash Floods Fill Negev Water Pools After Years of Drought
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Recent flash floods have refilled Gev Chulit, a desert water pool in the Negev that had been dry for years. The floods also replenished the Nekarot Reservoir near Ein Yahav in the Arava. Access to Gev Chulit is challenging, requiring either a long hike or a 4x4 vehicle. Swimming is prohibited at the Nekarot Reservoir, but it offers scenic views and attracts wildlife.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Flash floods have refilled Gev Chulit, a Negev water pool dry for many years.
- The recent floods also replenished the Nekarot Reservoir near Ein Yahav in the Arava.
- Gev Chulit is located between Sapir and Mitzpe Ramon along the Israel Trail.
- Access to Gev Chulit involves a difficult 20.5 km hike or a 4x4 route.
- Swimming is forbidden at the Nekarot Reservoir, though it offers scenic views.
Recent flash floods in the Negev and Arava regions have replenished numerous water pools, including the significant Gev Chulit. This pool, located deep within the desert between Sapir and Mitzpe Ramon along the Israel Trail, had been dry for many years, surprising many with its recent filling. Gev Chulit, approximately 10 meters in diameter, is situated at the base of a rock waterfall in a remote and impressive desert area, accessible via challenging hiking routes or by 4x4 vehicles.
The hike to Gev Chulit is a demanding 20.5-kilometer one-way trek along the Israel Trail, requiring careful planning for overnight stays or vehicle arrangements for return. For off-road vehicle users, access is simpler from Ein Yahav, following a red-marked dirt road along Nahal Nekarot to the Gev Chulit parking area, followed by a short walk to the pool. This route is suitable only for 4x4 vehicles.
Another site that benefited from the floods is the Nekarot Reservoir near Ein Yahav in the Central Arava. This reservoir collects water from the entire Nekarot stream basin, flowing from Mitzpe Ramon to the Arava, with the aim of enriching groundwater. The reservoir, which also filled significantly, attracts water birds, migratory birds, and desert wildlife. Swimming and entering the water at the reservoir are strictly prohibited.
Visitors can observe the reservoir from a high vantage point by taking a paved road up to an antenna hill, offering a panoramic view. Due to the unusual flood and the reservoir overflowing its capacity, the water can also be viewed directly from the access road to Ein Yahav, north of the road and just before the settlement's entrance.