Israel's Sea of Galilee Hits Lowest Water Levels in Over a Century
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israel's Sea of Galilee has reached its lowest water levels in 100 years due to two years of drought in the north, according to the Water Authority. Despite national rainfall nearing average, the Sea of Galilee basin received less, exacerbating the deficit. Meanwhile, southern Israel experienced unusual floods and record stream flows. Water Authority Director Yechiel Lipschitz cautioned that water sources are still affected by the previous drought year and stressed the need for careful water management.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Sea of Galilee has reached its lowest water levels in 100 years of measurements.
- Two consecutive years of drought in northern Israel have severely impacted the Sea of Galilee's water volume.
- National rainfall was near average, but significant regional disparities affected the Sea of Galilee basin.
- Southern Israel experienced unusual flash floods and record stream flows.
- Water Authority Director Yechiel Lipschitz warned of ongoing impacts from the previous drought year.
Israel's Water Authority has reported that the Sea of Galilee has reached its lowest water levels in 100 years of measurements, following two years of drought in the north. The latest data, released on Tuesday, indicates that the available water volume in the lake has been critically low.
This situation comes about a month and a half after a crisis that saw nearly all of Israel's desalination plants shut down due to a turbid water event originating from Egypt, raising concerns about water supply disruptions. While national rainfall reached approximately 95% of the multi-year average, significant regional disparities were observed. The Sea of Galilee basin received about 90% of its average rainfall, and the Western Galilee received only 85%. In contrast, the coastal and Yarkon-Taninim basins received around 100% of their average rainfall.
The most concerning figures are from the Sea of Galilee basin, where the accumulated available water volume from the start of the rainy season until the end of April was about 142 million cubic meters. Combined with the previous drought season, the total available water over these two seasons reached only about 208 million cubic meters, the lowest figure in a century. The Water Authority stressed that despite this year's improved rainfall, the severe deficit from the previous year continues to impact natural water sources.
The Sea of Galilee's water level reflects this scarcity. It began the hydrological year at 213.08 meters below sea level, dropped to a seasonal low of 213.45 meters in mid-December, and reached a seasonal peak of 212.51 meters below sea level in early May. This peak is still 3.71 meters below the upper red line.
Conversely, southern Israel experienced unusually heavy rainfall and flash floods. On April 27th, areas in the Judean Desert and northeastern Negev received over 50 millimeters of rain in about 1.5 hours, with rainfall intensities estimated to have a return period of 100 years or more. A record flow of 570 cubic meters per second was measured in the Tsalim stream, the highest since measurements began, with a return period estimated at over 50 years.
Water Authority Director Yechiel Lipschitz warned that rainfall near the average does not necessarily indicate a recovery of water sources, as they continue to bear the impact of the previous drought year. He emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring, forecasting, long-term planning, and flexible management of Israel's water resources.
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