Israel’s Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) was still at critical water levels as recently as January, when a previous article depicted the then dire condition of the biblical lake. So critical in fact was the crisis that the lake’s water level had decreased so low that it nearly reached the dreaded “black line” of 214.7 meters below sea level  when the water becomes saline, due to underground salt springs.

The overall situation of the Kinneret has now improved significantly due to recent heavy rains which have also fallen on the Golan Heights, one of the Kinneret’s sources of fresh water. This situation prompted me to go on a day trip to the “Heights” and check out the situation there; especially the beautiful waterfalls of the Saar Stream, also known as Nahal Saar.

Starting out from central Israel on a rainy April 1, a virtual April fools joke in itself in drought plagued Israel, our group’s first nature stop was none other than Nahal Saar itself, to view the now swollen stream and truly spectacular water falls. As we approached the stream on foot, a near-deafening noise of rushing and falling water was emanating from it, as shown in a close-up view  of the top of the falls (photo).

The sheer power of the rushing water in this stream gives an indication of how much rainfall and snowfall has occurred on the Golan Heights and Mt. Hermon, a mountain range located on the northern section of the Golan . The cascading water in Nahal Saar flows eventually into the Jordan River and then into the Kinneret. The falls are located below the ruins of the Nimrod Fortress, built originally in 1229 by Al-Aziz Uthman, the younger son of the Muslim
Mamkuke conqueror Saladin.

Before reaching the Jordan, Nahal Saar flows through the historic site known as the Banias Nature Reserve, itself a natural wonder with smaller waterfalls and ruins of ancient settlements; including a site said to have been a place of worship to the Greek god Pan.

Mt. Hermon, the Golan Height’s highest mountain range, is a major source of water for the streams that eventually feed into area rivers, including the Jordan and Yarmuk rivers. This season’s precipitation have added considerably to the snow accumulation atop Mt. Hermon, from which the melting snowfalls feed into these streams.

Our tour included a visit to a small lake called Birkat Al-Ram, called Bherkat Ram in Hebrew. The picturesque lake is actually the flooded cone of an extinct volcano. The lake has been in danger of drying up due to excessive pumping for agricultural use.

The tour ended with a visit to a site called Mizpah HaShalom or Peace Vista, which gives visitors a spectacular view of the entire Lake Kinneret below. Viewing the lake after this season’s above average rainfall indicated that while some parts of the shoreline are still exposed, the rising of the lake’s water level by nearly three meters has
greatly improved the Kinneret’s situation over what it was previously.

Currently, the lake is only supplying water to neighboring Jordan, as part of the 1994 peace agreement with Israel. “Israel’s fresh water now comes from mountain and coastal aquifers and desalination” our guide said. The current lake level of -211.8 meters below sea level is still about 3 meters short of being completely full and reaching the “upper red level” of -208.8 meters below sea level, when excessive water is sent into the lower Jordan River.

The lower Jordan, now not much more than a thin trickle of “unholy water” from sewage and saline runoff, can use a bit of  Kinneret lake water as well.

More about the Sea of Galilee and Jordan River:

Sea of Galilee still critical water levels despite winter rains

Water crises at Sea of Galilee. What would Jesus say?

Unholy waters: the Jordan River is Nearly Dead

The post Increased Rain Gives the Golan Heights Sea of Galilee new life appeared first on Green Prophet.

Israel’s fresh water problems have been such an on-going issue that most of the country’s drinking water supplies are now coming from several desalination plants along its Mediterranean coast line. The technology used in these plants has become so advanced that Israel is now sharing it with other countries, including neighboring Cyprus.

After experiencing one of the worst droughts in five years, recent winter rains have now helped considerably to replenish Israel’s  water reserves. This includes Lake Kinneret, which has received more than 19 centimeters of water from recent rains. This amount, according to the Times of Israel news site, flowed into the lake in just two days .
Mr. Uri Schor, a spokesperson from Israel’s Mekorot Water Company, says that although this rainfall and snowfall on Mt Hermon help a lot, “they don’t erase the water shortages of the last five years”.

He expects this season’s rains to be average or even above average; but that it “doesn’t fix the drought”.

The Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, is the lowest freshwater lake in the world, at levels of 215 to 209 meters below sea level. Presently, the lake is 1.24 meters (4 feet) below the lower red line, and just 0.6 meters (2 feet) above the “black line”; the absolute limit to where the water quality begins to be seriously affected by the salinity from the lake’s lower saline depths. This salty bottom layer is fed by salt springs entering the lake. The black line is so dire that at this level the lake becomes increasingly saline with accompanying algae blooms. The Kinneret needs to increase its water level by at least 1.24 meters to reach the lower red line, where the water is relatively safe to use. To become full, the lake needs to rise about 5.4 meters.

The lake is currently not being used as a major water supplier by Israel, due to its dangerously low level. Israel now depends on its desalination plants to supply as much as 85% of its fresh water needs. The Kinneret’s situation is further complicated by Israel’s obligation to supply neighboring Jordan with an agreed supply of fresh water as part of the 2013 Israel-Jordan water trade agreement .Jordan is able to receive up to 50 million cubic meters of water annually from the lake from this agreement.

Mekorot spokesperson Uri Schor attributes climate change as part of Israel’s overall water problem. “This has been the trend for the past 30 years” he says. “We know that because of climate change, Israel will get let less and less water. Sometimes more, sometimes less; but all in all, the overall trend is that there will be less and less water”.

More articles on Israel water problems and solutions:

Cyprus gets new desalination plant with Mekorot Israel’s know-how

Israel and Jordan strike brilliant water trade deal

Wastewater treatment from Israel wins UN recognition

The post Sea of Galilee still critical water levels, despite winter rain appeared first on Green Prophet.

But urban dwellers aren’t celebrating at all. Sections of the central arteries of Tel Aviv, Ayalon Highway and Highway 1, were closed to traffic in both directions and all four of the city’s railway stations are closed, reports Haaretz. Areas north of the Mediterranean city have been swamped as well and authorities are bracing for the real possibility that both the Ayalon and Yarkon rivers will burst their banks.

It has been one of the wettest winters on record for Israel, but according to local reports, rains were fiercest on Tuesday morning and afternoon, and social media has been flooded with images of water inundating coffee shops and other public buildings.

Traffic in the center of Tel Aviv was heavily congested and police are urging drivers to stay home. At least three people have been killed in weather-related vehicular accidents already.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said the municipality is preparing for an emergency situation if the two rivers overflow. Funds will be made available to help evacuate residents as necessary and to clear their homes of floodwater.

Power outages were reported throughout Tel Aviv and several telephone lines are on the verge of collapse; even small airports have had to divert flights as a result of the storm.

Trees have been uprooted and many businesses shut down as rain continues to pummel the drenched city.

While the influx of water is seen by many as a godsend for the dry country, floods typically have a deleterious affect on topsoil, and the Yarkon River – Israel’s longest coastal river – has a dubious history of intense pollution.

Like Hurricane Sandy in the northeast USA, the flood in Tel Aviv underscores the importance for better disaster preparedness. Because thanks to climate change, there will be more to come.

:: Haaretz

Image of 2010 flood in Israel by ChameleonsEye, Shutterstock

The post Biblical Flood Swamps Tel Aviv and Fills Reservoirs appeared first on Green Prophet.