Late December rains boost Kinneret

Last month was set to be one of the driest Decembers on record until heavy rain fell in the last few days. Now, the Lake of Galilee (Sea of ​​Galilee) is filling up quickly. The lake level has risen by 10 centimeters over the past five days and will end in 2024, at an altitude of 2,485 meters above its maximum level, which is 208.80 meters below sea level, according to the Tiberias Authority.

More heavy rains will still be needed over the next four months for the Sea of ​​Galilee to reach its maximum level this year. At this time last year, the level of Lake Kinneret was 2,575 meters above its maximum, but eventually dropped much lower.

In 2023, the national water company Mekorot Israel and the Israel Water Authority launched a “reverse water conveyor” project in the north. The project will allow desalinated water from the Mediterranean Sea to flow inland into the Lake of Galilee to maintain the lake level in years of drought and low rainfall.

So far this winter, Safed has received 281 millimeters of rain, according to the Israel Meteorological Authority, or 41% of the average annual rainfall. Haifa received 300 mm of rain, i.e. 48% of the average annual rainfall. Tel Aviv received 144 mm of rain, 25% of the average annual rainfall, Jerusalem 99 mm of rain, 18% of the average annual rainfall, and Beersheba 6 mm of rain, 4% of the average annual rainfall. Annual.

Published by Globes, Israel Business News – en.globes.co.il – on January 1, 2025

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