Lake Kinneret Experiences Unprecedented Water Decline Amid Extreme Dryness

For the first time in a century, Israel’s Lake Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, has witnessed a drop in its water level during February, signaling an alarming trend of extreme dryness this winter. According to recent data from the Water Authority, the lake’s water level remains significantly below its upper red line, with the flow from the Jordan River being exceptionally low.

As of Monday, the water level stands at -211.235 meters (-692.8 feet) below sea level, 2.435 meters (8 feet) below the upper red line and 1.765 meters (5.8 feet) above the lower red line. This marks a troubling decline as the lake’s level has not significantly risen since the start of winter, with only a slight increase of 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) so far.

Dr. Eyal Zigel, head of the surface water department at the Water Authority, attributed the water decline primarily to the reduced flow from the Jordan River, which is one of the lowest seen in the last 100 years. He noted that a similar situation occurred in 2014, but this year’s winter is proving to be exceptionally dry.

“There hasn't been a year this severe since measurements began,” said Zigel, though he emphasized that the final assessment will be made at the end of the winter season.

The current situation in Lake Kinneret highlights a broader issue of declining precipitation in northern Israel, with rainfall levels down by about 10% over the past 30 years. This is a concerning trend that further exacerbates water scarcity in the region, making it less likely that the familiar debate about opening the Degania Dam will arise this year.

Given the persistent dryness, Israeli officials are considering the use of the “reverse aqueduct,” a system designed to pump desalinated Mediterranean Sea water into Lake Kinneret when needed. Dr. Zigel acknowledged that a winter like this reinforces the idea that the reverse aqueduct may become a necessary tool to ensure the lake’s water levels are maintained in the future.