Israel Faces Lowest Lake Levels in Over a Century Amid Drought
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israel's Water Authority reported that the Sea of Galilee has reached its lowest levels in over 100 years due to two consecutive years of drought in the north. Despite national rainfall reaching 95% of average, northern regions like the Sea of Galilee basin received only 90% of their average. The Sea of Galilee's water level remains significantly below the upper red line, and northern rivers and springs show reduced flow rates. Conversely, the south experienced significant floods.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Sea of Galilee has reached its lowest water levels in over 100 years due to consecutive drought years.
- National rainfall reached 95% of average, but northern regions received significantly less.
- The Sea of Galilee's water level is still 3.71 meters below its upper red line.
- Northern rivers and springs are experiencing reduced flow rates.
- Southern Israel, however, saw unusual floods and record water levels in the Tsalim stream.
Israel's Water Authority has issued a stark warning regarding the country's water sources, particularly the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), which has reached its lowest levels in over 100 years. This unprecedented decline is attributed to two consecutive years of below-average rainfall in the north.
Despite the national rainfall reaching 95% of the annual average for the 2025/26 season, the northern water bodies, including the Sea of Galilee, are still suffering from the severe drought. The cumulative available water in the Sea of Galilee over the past two years stands at a mere 208 million cubic meters, the lowest figure recorded in a century of measurements.
While the national rainfall average was met, significant regional disparities exist. The Sea of Galilee basin received only 90% of its average rainfall, and the Western Galilee received just 85%. In contrast, coastal basins and the Yarkon-Taninim basin received approximately 100% of their average rainfall.
The Sea of Galilee's water level reflects this crisis. It began the hydrological year at 213.08 meters below sea level, dropping to a seasonal low of 213.45 meters in mid-December. By early May, it reached a seasonal peak of 212.51 meters below sea level, still 3.71 meters below the upper red line.
Flow rates in northern rivers and springs are also significantly impacted. The Jordan River at theפקק Bridge measured 11.4 cubic meters per second in late April, about 80% of the average for this period. Other springs like Dan, Banias, and Taninim are also experiencing reduced flow rates, ranging from 80% to 94% of their averages.
In stark contrast, the southern regions experienced unusual floods and record-breaking water levels in the Tsalim stream, reaching decades-long highs.
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