Ayun Stream

Ayun Stream (romanized Nahal Ayun, lit. Ayun Stream), sometimes spelled Nahal Iyyon, in Arabic: Bureighit, or in full Nahr Bareighit, is a perennial stream and a tributary of the Jordan River. The stream originates from two springs in the Marjayoun (Merj 'Ayun) valley in southern Lebanon, runs southward for seven kilometers through various irrigation ditches, then flows into Israel near Metulla, where it continues through the Hula Valley in the Galilee Panhandle until emptying in the Hasbani River just before it reaches the Jordan River.

The Nahal Ayun originates near Marj Ayun in South Lebanon, flowing about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) through the Ayun Valley, branching into numerous irrigation channels until it enters Israel near Metula. From there, the stream flows in a canyon channel descending from about 500 metres (1, 600 ft) above sea level to about 300 metres (980 ft) south of Tel Abel Beit Maacah, then gradually through the Hula Valley. The significant elevation differences have formed several waterfalls along the channel, including those within the Ayun Nature Reserve. Within this reserve are four notable waterfalls (from north to south): Ayun Waterfall; the Grinding Mill Waterfal; the Ashd Waterfall; and the Furnace (Tannur) Waterfall. Within the Hula Valley, Nahal Ayun flows westward into the Hula Basin. After the draining of the Hula, the stream was diverted into the drainage system of the valley, with little remaining of its original course. One of the drainage systems directs some of the waters of Nahal Ayun towards the Jordan River near its three sources, which is why some consider it part of the Jordan River sources. In the watershed of Nahal Ayun, an average of about 900 millimetres (35 in) of rain falls annually, causing significant variations in water flow between seasons. In winter, there is often intense flooding, while in summer, flow decreases significantly as it relies mainly on springs. Most of the water is used for irrigation within Lebanon, with only a small amount reaching Israel. Even in Israel, it primarily serves agricultural irrigation near Metula, resulting in minimal flow in its lo

Flows through: Israel.

River data from Wikidata (CC0); lengths normalised to a common unit.