Water Authority: We can't remember anything like it

The Water Authority estimates rainfall will add another 30 centimeters to the Kinneret's water level in the next three days.

The heavy rain since Thursday has added 17 centimeters to the Kinneret's water level, and at 211.72 meters below sea level, it is now 2.92 meters below its full level. The Water Authority estimates that the rainfall will add another 30 centimeters to the Kinneret's water level in the next three days.

"We had hoped for large amounts of rain, but we were surprised by how long and how strong the storm system has been - seven days of rain," said Water Authority surface water director Dr. Amir Givati. "This is an amazing rate, and we can't remember anything like it for a decade. There's a chance that the Kinneret will fill up. It might happen if February is like January, but it's tough to call."

Many rivers in the Kinneret drainage basin are overflowing, including Nahal Dishon, Nahal Amud, Nahal Tzalmon, and Nahal Hatzor. The water flow measured this morning in these rivers are even higher than February 2003: 19 cubic meters per second in Nahal Dishon, compared with 14 cubic meters per second in February 2003; and 18 cubic meters per second in Nahal Tzalmon compared with 15 cubic meters per second in 2003.

There has also been heavy rainfall in the Upper Galilee, with 200 millimeters in the Mount Meron-Mount Canaan area in the past few days. 170 millimeters of rain has fallen on the northern and central Golan Heights. The Water Authority estimates that the forecast for heavier rain tomorrow, if it materializes, could boost water flow in the area's rivers to record levels.

Snow is also falling on Mount Hermon, but the ski resort is not yet open to visitors, although it may open next week.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 7, 2013

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013

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