Menawhile hydroelectric schemes which were built along the Jordan’s course have been abandoned.
In the early 1960s, Israel opened a major dam diverting water from the Sea of Galilee for crops on adjacent lands.
For Jordan in particular, the diversion of the waters of the country’s main river has been a disaster.
Other factors have contributed to the country’s water scarcity problems.
Clearly, such a growth in population over a relatively short timespan puts severe strain on water and other resources.
Israel is releasing more water from the Sea of Galilee into the Jordan and, in some areas, flows have improved.
In a complex series of water swaps, freshwater from the desalination plant will be sold to Israel’s southern Arava region, while Jordan will buy water from the Sea of Galilee and the Palestinian Authority will purchase water from an Israeli desalination plant.
Scientists say the shrinkage is not only because the amount of water from the River Jordan entering the Red Sea has declined but also through increased evaporation caused by higher regional temperatures.