The Sea of Galilee: receding waters of biblical lake

The Sea of Galilee: receding waters of biblical lake

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On the shimmering Sea of Galilee, where the Christian gospels say Jesus walked on water, 150 Nigerian pilgrims aboard a river boat sing and dance to an African beat.

. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Their pastor, Reverend Samuel Tunde Ogunmodede, said he and his congregation had come to the biblical lake to see what they had, until now, only read about in the scriptures.

"We came here to seek the face of God, pray to God as he did in the time of the disciples. We will pray here so that he will do the same in our lives," he said on board the boat.

About 1 million tourists from abroad visit the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias or Kinneret, each year, according to the Israeli Tourism Ministry.

. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Stretching about 65 sq miles (170 square km) from the foot of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, at its southern tip, spills into the Jordan River, where Jesus is believed to have been baptised.

On a crisp winter day, worshippers from Singapore, Nigeria and Germany performed their own baptism ceremonies in the waters.

. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

The gospels tell of Jesus walking on the lake to comfort and save disciples as their ship was foundering in a storm and miraculously producing huge catches of fish for their nets.

But the Sea of Galilee may need a few more miracles these days.

. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A sharp drop in annual rainfall in the northern Galilee region over the past three years has caused the lake's waters to recede, according to Israel's Water Authority. It is now at its lowest in five years.

This has created problems for the largest freshwater lake in Israel, which is a water resource for the country's north and neighbouring Jordan, a tourist hot-spot and a main fishing zone.

. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Receding water levels means higher salt levels, which harm the eco-balance and could render the water unusable.

In an effort to control the damage, only a 10th of the annual average quantity of water supply has been drawn from the lake this year, Water Authority spokesman Uri Schor said. And in a complex operation, salt water springs are found and their flow is diverted out of the lake.

. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

To better keep the eco-balance and maintain water quality, the lake is stocked with millions of fish every year, Schor said.

The Sea of Galilee has in the past provided up to a third of Israel's water. Because of its grave situation it now supplies a fraction of the country's water. Israel relies now on the more expensive methods of desalination and recycling for more than half its water supply.

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Slideshow

A man walks near his camp site on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A man walks near his camp site on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Yotam Steinberg from Kibbutz Maagan, holds his stand-up paddle board.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Yotam Steinberg from Kibbutz Maagan, holds his stand-up paddle board.

Employees work on a fishing boat.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Employees work on a fishing boat.

A Norwegian volunteer stands on a fishing boat.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A Norwegian volunteer stands on a fishing boat.

A Great Egret flies above a fishing boat.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A Great Egret flies above a fishing boat.

A Christian tourist from Nigeria stands during a boat ride.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A Christian tourist from Nigeria stands during a boat ride.

Christian tourists from Nigeria stand during a boat ride.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Christian tourists from Nigeria stand during a boat ride.

Christian tourists from Nigeria take part in a ceremony at the Yardenit baptismal site, in the Jordan River.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Christian tourists from Nigeria take part in a ceremony at the Yardenit baptismal site, in the Jordan River.

A peacock walks next to the Monastery of the Holy Apostles.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A peacock walks next to the Monastery of the Holy Apostles.

A rainbow is seen over the northern Israeli city of Tiberias.
. Tiberias, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A rainbow is seen over the northern Israeli city of Tiberias.