Kinneret Nears Maximum Capacity Amidst Gishmei Brachah

By Aryeh Stern

The water level of the Kinneret is steadily rising toward its maximum capacity, approaching the upper red line, as continuous winter rains drench Israel, the country’s Water Authority reported on Monday.

Over the past day, the lake’s water level increased by 5 centimeters, currently standing at 1.10 meters below the Kinneret’s maximum capacity. Israel actively manages the outflow of water from Lake Kinneret through the Degania Dam, controlling the water’s release into the Jordan River to prevent downstream flooding and to regulate the lake’s water level. Excessive water could potentially harm local wildlife habitats and contaminate other water sources due to runoff carrying pollutants.

As gishmei brachah persist, accompanied by sporadic thunderstorms, the forecast predicts continued precipitation in northern regions through Monday afternoon, with isolated thunderstorms expected in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea area. The Negev, with its less absorbent, compacted soil, poses a heightened risk of flash floods during such conditions, leading to sudden and powerful flooding.

Recent days have also seen reports of floods in coastal towns like Netanya and Zichron Yaakov.