Ma'agar Bet Zayit, reservoir in Israel
Ma'agar Bet Zayit is a seasonal reservoir in the Jerusalem District, set in the wooded hills west of the city and fed mainly by winter rains. The banks are low and open, lined with trees, and a dirt path connects the parking area to the water's edge.
A dam was built across the Nachal Soreq stream in the 1950s to collect rainwater for the surrounding agricultural land. The project was part of the early water development efforts of the newly established state.
The name Bet Zayit means "House of Olives" in Hebrew, a reference to the olive trees that have long grown in this part of the Jerusalem hills. Today, the site is a place where local families come to walk along the water and spend time outdoors on weekends.
The area has no lighting, so a daytime visit is strongly recommended, and free parking is available near the entrance. After heavy rain, the dirt paths can turn slippery, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
The shallow water near the banks is home to fairy shrimp, tiny crustaceans that swim upside down and only live in clean, temporary pools. Their eggs can lie dormant in the dry soil for years and hatch only when the water returns.
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