For The First Time In 17 Years, Sea Of Galilee Is Nearly Full

While Israel and the rest of the world have been focusing on battling the coronavirus pandemic, the Sea of Galilee has reached the highest level in years due to the heavy rains we received this past winter. The water level currently stands at -209.29 meters (687 feet below sea level), only 49 centimeters (19 inches) short of the Upper Red Line, the point at which a dam would have to be opened to prevent flooding, the Israel Water Authority reported Monday.

Monday's measurement represents a rise of 2 cm (0.78 inches) since Sunday. The Water Authority has measured the water level of the Sea of Galilee  –  Israel's main freshwater source  –  daily since 1969. To date, the lowest level recorded was measured in November 2001, when the lake retreated to a level of -214.87 meters (705 feet) below sea level, a measurement which has come to be known as the Black Line. The last time the Sea of Galilee reached the Upper Red Line was the winter of 2003-2004. -Source