Nahal Beersheba Flooded

A view looking east southeast at the Nahal Beersheba in January during a rainstorm taken from Tel Sheva.  The Nahal (Wadi) drains the whole eastern basin of the Negev towards the viewer.

Notice the light green cover of vegetation on the far side of the wadi.  This area of the Negev receives about 8–10" of rainfall each year—barely enough to grow wheat.

The Biblical Negev is composed of loess soil that is relatively impermeable and thus the runoff into the wadis is quick and considerable.

Here is the same view taken during the dry season.