FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarit Schonbrun
JNF Communications Manager
212-879-9305 ext. 222
sschonbrun@jnf.org

Despite Flooding in Northern Israel,
Lake Kinneret Water Level Low at Start of Winter Rainy Season
An Update From Jewish National Fund

October 24, 2006 -- New York, NY -- The rains that flooded the roads of Kiryat Shemona and Tiberias at the start of Israel's rainy season have made no impact on the water level of Lake Kinneret.

"It takes time until the soil absorbs the water and there is a flow in the rivers," said Pinchas Green, director of the Kinneret Authority. "At least 80 millimeters of rain is needed for there to be any change in the level."

Lake Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, is Israel's only natural freshwater lake and the largest source of drinking water in the country.

"The winter started this year with a big deficit; the level of the Kinneret is at least half a meter lower than it was last year," said Green. "Since the last high point in May 2006, the level dropped by 1.37 meters during the spring and summer.

"The highest level last year was -210.67 meters in May and this was less than the maximum high level. Today's level is -3.25 meters below the upper red line and only -0.95 meters above the lower red line. The level will, presumably, start to rise with the rains at the beginning of November. Despite the changes, the water quality still remains good."

Jewish National Fund is continuing its efforts to relieve Israel's chronic water shortage. To date, over 180 reservoirs have been built throughout Israel and 11 more are currently under construction. Combined, these reservoirs add over 34 billion gallons to Israel's water economy, freeing up enough water to meet the needs of over 1.2 million Israelis each year. In times of drought, reservoirs are particularly vital as they store recycled water and catch run-off water when rain does fall -- both of which can offset Israel's annual water deficit.

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Jewish National Fund is a non-profit organization founded in 1901 to serve as caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners-Jewish people everywhere. Over the past century, JNF has planted over 240 million trees, built over 180 reservoirs and dams, developed over 250,000 acres of land, created more than 1,000 parks, provided the infrastructure for 1,000 communities and educated students around the world about Israel and the environment. Today, JNF is restoring northern Israel, making it home again to its residents, and is putting its century of experience to work with Blueprint Negev, supporting Israel's newest generation of pioneers in developing the Negev Desert, Israel's last frontier. For more information on JNF or to plant trees in Israel, call 800-542-TREE (8733) or visit www.jnf.org/trees. To contact your local office, please call 888-JNF-0099 or visit http://www.jnf.org/.