National Water Carrier of Israel

The National Water Carrier was designed to address Israel's uneven water distribution, with the majority of rainfall in the north and the majority of agricultural land in the south. The main conduit runs from the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) to the coastal plain, using a combination of open canals, tunnels, and large-diameter pipes. The system includes pumping stations that lift water over the Lower Galilee hills, and a major reservoir at Eshkol. Construction began in 1953 and was completed in 1964, with an initial capacity of about 320 million cubic meters per year. The project was engineered by Mekorot, Israel's national water company, and involved significant technical challenges, including the need to prevent leakage and manage water quality.

Since its inauguration, the carrier has been the backbone of Israel's water supply, delivering water for irrigation, industry, and domestic use. It has enabled the expansion of agriculture in the Negev and the growth of cities like Beersheba. Over the years, the carrier has been integrated with other water sources, including the coastal and mountain aquifers, and later with desalination plants. In the 1990s and 2000s, due to droughts and increased demand, the carrier's role shifted from being the primary source to a backup and balancing component. The carrier also played a role in regional water politics, as its operation was a factor in the 1960s Arab-Israeli water disputes.

The carrier's main pipeline has a diameter of up to 2.75 meters, and the system includes over 20 pumping stations and several reservoirs. The water is lifted a total of about 250 meters from the Sea of Galilee to the highest point near the Eshkol reservoir. Over the decades, the carrier has undergone upgrades to increase efficiency and capacity, including the addition of a parallel pipeline in the 1990s. In the 2000s, the carrier was connected to the National Water System, which integrates all major water sources, including desalination plants on the Mediterranean coast. The system is now operated by Mekorot and is monitored by a central control center.

One lesser-known fact is that the carrier was originally planned to use the Jordan River directly, but the plan was modified to use the Sea of Galilee as a storage reservoir. Another is that the carrier's construction involved the relocation of the ancient town of Bethsaida, which was partially submerged by the raised water level. The carrier also includes a unique 'inverted siphon' section that crosses the Jezreel Valley. In the 1960s, the carrier was a target of sabotage attempts by neighboring countries, leading to the development of protective measures. Additionally, the carrier's water quality has been a concern due to the high salinity of the Sea of Galilee, leading to the construction of a salt water diversion system in the 1960s. The carrier has also been used to deliver water to the West Bank under interim agreements, a fact that is often overlooked.

Mekorot

Israel's national water company, responsible for the operation of the National Water Carrier.

Sea of Galilee

Freshwater lake in northern Israel, the primary source for the National Water Carrier.

Negev

Arid desert region in southern Israel, a major beneficiary of the carrier's water.

Eshkol Reservoir

A major storage and pumping facility on the National Water Carrier.