Mazel tov! For the first time in at least three years, the Kinneret Sea - Israel's largest reservoir - has broken past the minimum "red line" level. Today's measurements, the first since Thursday, show that the Kinneret climbed 16 centimeters since then, bringing it to 212.93 meters below sea level - 7 centimeters higher than the government-mandated red line of 213 meters. The Kinneret's highest point last year, approximately the same as the year before, was some 23 centimeters lower than its present level. The Kinneret still has four meters - over 680 million cubic meters of water - to go before it reaches its optimum level. Strong rains are expected again on Wednesday.
The good news was "watered down" by reports that a large tourist boat was leaking fuel into the Kinneret. The spill was said to be "localized," however, and was not expected to affect the quality of the drinking water.
The good news was "watered down" by reports that a large tourist boat was leaking fuel into the Kinneret. The spill was said to be "localized," however, and was not expected to affect the quality of the drinking water.