Cehei Wetland Nature Reserve

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## A Natural Oasis in the Heart of Sălaj Cehei Wetland Nature Reserve stretches across the generous floodplain of the Crasna River, just a short distance from the eponymous village. It represents one of the few well-preserved wetlands with rich aquatic vegetation in Sălaj County. The lake formed in Quaternary alluvial deposits, covering older layers of Pontian clays and marls, creating a landscape typical of hills and plateaus at an altitude of 198 meters. Nestled in a natural basin, it is fed by surface waters and the periodic overflows of the Crasna River, fostering a delicate and dynamic ecosystem. ## A Refuge of Biodiversity Covering an area of 128,125 square meters with a maximum depth of 2.6 meters, Cehei Wetland harbors a rich palustrine vegetation that develops centrifugally. Reed beds dominate the shores, alongside rare species such as frogbit (*Hydrocharis morsus-ranae*), skullcap (*Scutellaria galericulata*), and water mannagrass (*Glyceria maxima*). The tranquil waters are home to beetles, heteropterans, crustaceans, and aquatic worms, while the water’s surface and reed beds provide shelter for birds like the mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*), little bittern (*Ixobrychus minutus*), and common moorhen (*Gallinula chloropus*), some of which are nationally protected. ## Access and Visitor Recommendations The reserve is accessible from the village of Cehei, located approximately 10 kilometers from the city of Zalău. The path to the wetland is marked, and the area can be explored on foot or by bicycle along the shores. To protect the fragile ecosystem, visitors are advised to avoid disturbing the wildlife and refrain from picking plants. The optimal visiting season is spring and summer, when vegetation is in full bloom and aquatic birds are most active. Cehei Wetland is an ideal destination for nature lovers, offering tranquility and opportunities to observe biodiversity in its natural habitat.