The Sea of Galilee, or the Kinneret, has reached its full capacity thanks to the abundant rainfall and the lack of human intervention in the last few months. The Northern lake is overflowing its banks at 15.5 centimeters above the red line, a level which hasn’t been seen since the early 1990s. With a full lake might come the need to opening the Degania Dam, which will allow for healthy maintenance and will release waters into the Jordan River. However, opening the dam could have harmful environmental effects.
Opening the Degania Dam, built in the 1930s, requires preparation and care to ensure its surroundings won’t be flooded. While opening the dam will assure a more “balanced” lake, the flooding concerns come with the idea of wasting good water. It might also cause flooding to the Alumot Dam, built of earth, situated only a few kilometers down the road.
While the Water Authority weighs the pros and cons of opening the dam, the unfortunate truth is that Israelis may not get to enjoy the beauty of a full Kinneret. What are typically full banks of camping and tourists now are empty shores with little to no human life. However, with animal life is flourishing, and it will be a wonder to witness the return of the humans to the outdoors, with the hope that they step back into the environment with care, concern, and respect.
