The Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Israel's largest reservoir, stands fuller and higher than it has been in previous years at this time. The level of the lake is now 210.19 meters below sea level - approximately 20 centimeters higher than it was last year at this time, and almost four meters higher than two years ago. The Kinneret's optimal level is 208.9 meters below sea level. Arutz-7 spoke with Rafi Ifregan of Israel's national water company, Mekorot, about the company's plan to draw substantial amounts of water from the Kinneret.
"The Kinneret is relatively full," Ifregan said, "and the policy of Mekorot and the Water Commission is to increase the water we draw from the Kinneret and to reduce that which we take from the aquifers of the mountain area and the coast, which are not in as good shape as the Kinneret. Even if this winter brings us a less-than-average rainfall, we will still be in relatively good shape, given our goal of stabilizing the other aquifers. We were also able this year to restore some of the underground waters." He said that Israel's new desalination plant in Ashkelon is likely to begin affecting the water supply by the end of 2005.