Despite an intense late-summer heat wave, the Sea of Galilee at the start of September is at its highest level for this time of year in 27 years, the Water Authority reported Thursday.
Another surprising phenomenon, last noted 17 years ago, is a steady flow in the Dan spring, which has increased slightly.
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Data provided by the Water Authority's Hydrological Service indicate that over the course of August, the water level in the Sea of Galilee dropped by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) due to reduced pumping. The current level is the highest since 1993, when the level of the lake at the start of September stood at 209.33 meters (687 feet) below sea level, or 0.73 meters (2.4 feet) below the upper Red Line, the point at which shoreline facilities start flooding.
The level of the Dead Sea also dropped by 14 cm. in August, putting the water level at the lowest point on earth at 434.86 meters (1,427 feet) below sea level.
However, vacationers seeking to cool off in creeks and rivers in northern Israel should exercise caution: samples taken from several creeks in the north have indicated unacceptably high levels of water pollution, the source of which has not yet been identified.
Swimming in the following rivers and creeks has been designated temporarily hazardous: Hasbani River; the Jordan River at Hamisha Bridge; the Jordan River at Huri Bridge; the Jordan River at Meitzad Ateret; the Devorah waterfall in the Gilabon Stream; Majrase; Yehudiya; Mashoshim; the Horeb pool in the Tzalmon creek; and the Tzalmon creek at the flour mill.
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