The Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) has risen 28 cm to 214.14 meters below sea level, thanks to the recent rains. The rise in water level amounts to 47 million cubic meters.
The water level began rising early last week, following floods. December rains are already 150% above average, and if the rains continue at the present rate, the Kinneret’s water level will rise further.
Nevertheless, the Kinneret’s water level is 5.24 meters below the red line, a shortfall of 900 million cubic meters - the annual output by the planned nine large desalination facilities, such as the one at Ashkelon. Nor can the fact that the mountain and coastal aquifers are almost completely drained be ignored.
When full, the Kinneret holds 4.1 billion cubic meters of water. An average of 800 million cubic meters is pumped out every year, the amount replenished each year by rain and inflow from the rivers of the Galilee and Golan. The lack of rain in the past decade and overpumping has lowered the water level to its current level.
The Meteorological Service predicts less rain in January 2003 than in December 2002. Rainfall will increase in February, but will be below average in March and April, so the total 2003 winter rainfall will be below average.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on December 26, 2002