Lake Kinneret is a little ‘under the weather’ these days, according to Israel’s Water Authority.
The northern body of water which is Israel’s main source of drinking water is also known as the Sea of Galilee. It started this year “rainy season” with a head start but now is showing signs of heading into a drought level.
Israel’s Water Authority reported Tuesday that the lake’s water level has dropped four centimeters below the “lower red line,” and stands at 213.04 meters below sea level.
“Kinneret water level declines at the end of December are unusual circumstances, occurring most recently only in 2008,” the Water Authority said in a statement.
On Tuesday morning, a very brief flash of rain swept across the northern Negev – but it had no effect on the level of the lake.
It is hoped that the winter storm expected this coming weekend will bring with it enough precipitation to boost the basin back up to where it should be at this time of year.
The water level in Lake Kinneret really needs to reach above the higher red line in order to avoid a drought alert for the summer months.