Ancient Roman hot spring near Sea of Galilee almost dry due to drought
An ancient hot spring near the Sea of Galilee is almost dry due to drought.
The hot spring, known as the Roman Spring, is located in Hamat Tiberias National Park and is one of 17 springs in the area.
“The Sea of Galilee’s hot and saline springs, including those at Hamat Tiberias, respond to rainfall levels,” said Avi Uzan, a freshwater ecologist with Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
“Last winter’s low precipitation failed to recharge the aquifer, causing the Roman Spring to dry up first among the 17 in the area,” he added.
According to the report in Ynet News, “heavy rainfall in 2020 revived the spring following a decade of near-dryness,” but “now, the site is nearly parched.”
Israel’s Water Authority director, Yehezkel Lifshitz, said that Israel is experiencing the worst drought it has faced within the past century.
Dr. Yaacov Lifshitz, who also works for the Water Authority, said in March that “this year has been the driest in recorded history, with only 50% of the average rainfall for this period.”
Uzan warned that the effects of drying are not temporary.
“Drying is a catastrophe,” he said. “A reduced flow allows some recovery, but complete drying lets invasive species dominate, preventing springs from returning to their original state.”
The hot springs of Tiberias, including the Roman Spring, have been renowned since ancient times and are even mentioned in the Talmud.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
You might also like to read this:
