Sea of Galilee basin – surface hydrology

The challenge

Acting as an advisory body to Israel’s water authorities for establishing a long-term policy in the Sea of Galilee basin, for correct use of the resources available to them.

Our part in the project management

In recent decades the Sea of Galilee has experienced a decline in the volume of water available (incoming water minus evaporated volume). To calculate whether the decrease in available water originates from climate change or increased consumption, it is necessary to study the changes in water consumption upstream of the basin over time and gather the information on all water consumption and sources in the last four decades.

This information gathering included gathering information on all water reservoirs in the Sea of Galilee region, water sources, water consumption, uses, and prevention of water from pooling in the lake, river and canal flow, and making a balance including mapping and graphic display of the entire basin at a monthly resolution, for 1974-2012.