For the first time in 16 years, the water level in the Sea of Galilee has risen above the level of -209 meters. On Tuesday, the water level was measured at -208.985 meters below sea level, an increase of 1.5 cm (.59 inches) since Monday.
The Israel Water Authority reported that the water level has been rising at a rate of 2.5 cm (.98 inches) a day and the lake is only 18.5 cm (7.3 inches) short of the Upper Red Line, the level at which a dam must be opened to allow water to flow out to prevent flooding.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The Sea of Galilee, Israel's largest freshwater source, has benefitted from an unusually rainy winter. Three weeks ago, the Water Authority reported that the water level was higher than it had been in 17 years, standing 49 cm (19 inches) short of the Upper Red Line.
This means that from March 23 to April 14, the lake rose by a foot.
More rain is forecast for later this week, and the lake is also expected to benefit from spring runoff.
