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Cases / Water use · Israel · 1960–2026

Diversion of the Jordan River and its tributaries: volumes, users and the lost inflow to the Dead Sea

Nature's voice · report
In the first half of the 20th century the Jordan River brought me 1,000 to 1,300 million cubic metres a year; in 2022 it brought under 100 million, according to Israel's State Comptroller.
Did nature suffer? Yes. Harm is on record. Accounts differ ↓
Recorded
Details not on record: 3 none on record · 5 disputed See the gaps
Accounts of the harm differ
Which riparian users account for the loss of Jordan River water
  • Government and regulators Israel Water Authority (May 2026 reply to the State Comptroller): Israel's share of water consumption is about a third of the total reduction in flow to the Dead Sea; about two thirds is consumed in the neighbouring countries (Jordan, Syria and Lebanon). State Comptroller of Israel
  • Communities and civil society EcoPeace / FoEME (2011): An estimated 97% of the Lower Jordan's historical flow has been diverted by Israel, Syria and Jordan; Israel historically diverted some 580 million of 1,250 million cubic metres a year (46%). EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East
  • Company or project ICL Group: About 1,400 million cubic metres a year that used to flow into the sea is used upstream by Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, including about 50 dams in Jordan and Syria. ICL Group
  • Communities and civil society Dr Jad Isaac, Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (as summarised by MAS, 2013): The Dead Sea's decline results from Israel's exploitation of the Jordan River's water. Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS)
  • Government and regulators Governments of Jordan and Syria: No statement in the sources reviewed.

EcoPeace (2011) estimates that Israel, Syria and Jordan have diverted 97% of the Lower Jordan River's historical flow of some 1,250 million cubic metres a year, with Israel historically diverting some 580 million. Israel's State Comptroller records the river's inflow to the Dead Sea falling from 1,000-1,300 million cubic metres a year in the first half of the 20th century to under 100 million in 2022.

under 100 million m3 a year, from 1,000-1,300 estimateJordan River inflow to the Dead Sea, 2022, against the first half of the 20th century
State Comptroller of Israel, June 2026, table from the 2022 draft policy report: a reduction of about 90%, which the report attributes to damming and diversion of the Jordan flow. EcoPeace (2011) gives an estimated 97% of the Lower Jordan River's historical flow of some 1,250 million m3 a year diverted.

Status As of June 2026 (State Comptroller): the Jordan River inflow to the Dead Sea was under 100 million cubic metres in 2022; the Water Authority puts Israel's share of the consumption at about a third of the reduction in flow.

What?
Dams and diversions by Israel, Jordan and Syria cut the Jordan River's inflow to the Dead Sea from 1,000-1,300 million cubic metres a year to under 100 million by 2022. State Comptroller of Israel
Where?
Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea; the Yarmouk basin (Jordan, Syria). EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East
When?
Since the 1960s (ICL); EcoPeace roadmap November 2011; State Comptroller table for 2022. ICL Group
Who?
Gained
  • Water users in Israel (National Water Carrier, fishponds) — The National Water Carrier draws some 290 million cubic metres a year on average from the Sea of Galilee; fishponds consume nearly 100 million cubic metres a year EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East
  • Jordan (King Abdullah Canal) — Diverts most of the Yarmouk's remaining water at the Adassiya dam to the canal EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East
  • Syria — Dams on rivers feeding the sea; ICL counts about 50 dams in various drainage basins in Jordan and Syria ICL Group
Lost
Harmed
  • The Lower Jordan River and the Dead Sea — 97% of historical flow diverted (EcoPeace); 50% of biodiversity lost; the river now carries mostly runoff and sewage; the sea's inflow under 100 million cubic metres a year EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East
Why?
Water for domestic and agricultural needs in Israel, Jordan, Syria and the Palestinian Authority (State Comptroller). State Comptroller of Israel
How?
Damming and diverting the Jordan and Yarmouk and streams from the east; the National Water Carrier; the King Abdullah Canal. State Comptroller of Israel
6 of 6 questions (what, who, where, when, why, how) have an answer on record

What happened

The record, in order.

Israel's State Comptroller wrote in June 2026 that the Jordan River's inflow to the Dead Sea was 1,000 to 1,300 million cubic metres a year in the first half of the 20th century and under 100 million cubic metres in 2022, a reduction of about 90%, which the table attributes to damming and diversion of the river's flow; the report names the use of the water that used to flow into the sea, by damming and diverting the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers and streams from the east, for domestic and agricultural needs in Israel, Jordan, Syria and the Palestinian Authority. The Water Authority told the Comptroller in May 2026 that Israel's share of the water consumption is about a third of the total reduction in flow to the Dead Sea and that about two thirds is consumed in the neighbouring countries (Jordan, Syria and Lebanon). The US Geological Survey (EROS Center) says the river once delivered about 1.3 billion cubic metres a year of fresh water and now delivers about 100 million cubic metres, mostly agricultural runoff and sewage.

EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East published a roadmap by hydrologist Gilad Safier (DHV MED) in November 2011, supported by USAID, the Goldman Fund, the Global Nature Fund and the Green Environment Fund. It states that an estimated 97% of the Lower Jordan River's historical flow of some 1,250 million cubic metres a year has been diverted by Israel, Syria and Jordan; that the river has lost 50% of its biodiversity and become essentially a sewage canal; and that of the historical 1,250 million, some 580 million cubic metres a year (46%) has been historically diverted by Israel. It names the users: the Sea of Galilee, responsible for some 20% of Israel's water supply, with the Israeli National Water Carrier drawing some 290 million cubic metres a year on average; the Yarmouk, which historically flowed at some 470 million cubic metres a year, with Jordan diverting most of the remaining water at the Adassiya dam to the King Abdullah Canal, leaving under 40 million cubic metres a year downstream and Israel using most of that before it reaches the Lower Jordan; and the Emeq Hamaayanot (Valley of Springs), where the springs once gave some 120 million cubic metres a year, now 60 to 80 million, most of it diverted, and where fishponds around the Harod Stream consume nearly 100 million cubic metres a year.

ICL's sustainability page states that upstream use of about 1,400 million cubic metres a year that used to flow into the Dead Sea by Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon since the 1960s, including about 50 dams in Jordan and Syria, is the main cause of the sea's decline, and that Israeli and Jordanian industrial operations add about 280 million cubic metres a year combined. The Times of Israel reported in February 2022 that Environmental Protection Ministry Director-General Galit Cohen said the Jordan River once supplied about 1,200 million cubic metres a year and that only 50 to 100 million now reach the sea because Syria, Jordan and Israel divert most of it, and that streams from the east and west had also been diverted; she said that if Israel unilaterally diverted less Jordan River water Jordan would oppose it because of its own water shortage. The Times of Israel reported in February 2017 that, according to EcoPeace, just 5 percent of the 1.3 billion cubic metres that once flowed in reaches the Dead Sea, that Israel began releasing 9 million cubic metres a year from the Deganya dam in 2013 with 30 million expected in 2017, and that in Jordan the water infrastructure is plagued by aging pipes, with as much as 50% of its water lost through leaks at some points.

EcoPeace's roadmap proposes that the Lower Jordan River needs at least 400 million cubic metres a year (less than a third of the historical flow), with Israel responsible for returning 54% or 220 million, Syria 24% or 100 million and Jordan 22% or 90 million, and that Palestine should receive a fairer share as a riparian rather than being asked to contribute. Palestinian voices appear in a March 2013 round-table report of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS): Dr Jad Isaac of the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem said the Dead Sea's decline results from Israel's exploitation of the Jordan River's water. In Jordan, University of Jordan professor Elias Salameh attributed the Dead Sea's fall mainly to upstream countries exploiting its sources. No statement by the Governments of Syria or Jordan on these diversions appears in the sources reviewed.

  1. 1960ICL dates the diversion and damming of the water that used to flow into the Dead Sea to the 1960s
  2. 2010FoEME's Environmental Flows report concludes the Lower Jordan needs 400 million m3 a year
  3. 2011November: EcoPeace roadmap for rehabilitating the Lower Jordan River states 97% of historical flow diverted
  4. 2013Israel begins releasing 9 million m3 a year from the Deganya dam to the river
  5. 201730 million m3 a year of releases expected; EcoPeace says 5 percent of the historical flow reaches the Dead Sea
  6. 2022Jordan River inflow under 100 million m3 a year (State Comptroller table); 16 February: Director-General Cohen says 50 to 100 million reach the sea
  7. 2026May: Water Authority tells the Comptroller Israel's share of consumption is about a third of the reduction in flow

What was said

Claims, in the words of those who made them.

“The Lower Jordan River is dying.”

“The Jordan is gone. If you don't do anything with that, it doesn't matter what the factories do.”

Where accounts differ

Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.

Which riparian users account for the loss of Jordan River water
Government and regulators
Israel Water Authority (May 2026 reply to the State Comptroller)

Israel's share of water consumption is about a third of the total reduction in flow to the Dead Sea; about two thirds is consumed in the neighbouring countries (Jordan, Syria and Lebanon).

State Comptroller of Israel
Communities and civil society
EcoPeace / FoEME (2011)

An estimated 97% of the Lower Jordan's historical flow has been diverted by Israel, Syria and Jordan; Israel historically diverted some 580 million of 1,250 million cubic metres a year (46%).

EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East
Company or project
ICL Group

About 1,400 million cubic metres a year that used to flow into the sea is used upstream by Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, including about 50 dams in Jordan and Syria.

ICL Group
Communities and civil society
Dr Jad Isaac, Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (as summarised by MAS, 2013)

The Dead Sea's decline results from Israel's exploitation of the Jordan River's water.

Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS)
Government and regulators
Governments of Jordan and Syria

No statement in the sources reviewed.

Whether Israel can restore flow unilaterally
Government and regulators
Environmental Protection Ministry Director-General Galit Cohen (2022)

The only way to stabilise the sea would be an agreement with Jordan; if Israel unilaterally diverted less Jordan River water, Jordan would oppose it because of its own water shortage.

The Times of Israel
Communities and civil society
EcoPeace (2011)

Israel should return 54% (220 million cubic metres) of the minimum 400 million cubic metres a year the Lower Jordan needs, Syria 24% and Jordan 22%.

EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East

How it looked

What was shown, beside what was recorded.

Shown

  • Upstream diversion and damming by Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon since the 1960s, about 1,400 million cubic metres a year, presented as the main cause of the Dead Sea's fall.
    ICL Group · ICL Group
  • Out of the historical 1,250 million cubic metres a year, some 580 million (46%) historically diverted by Israel.
    EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East · EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East

Recorded

  • Jordan River inflow to the Dead Sea was under 100 million cubic metres in 2022 against 1,000-1,300 million in the first half of the 20th century, a reduction of about 90%.
    State Comptroller of Israel
  • The Water Authority's estimate: Israel's share of consumption is about a third of the total reduction in flow; about two thirds is consumed in neighbouring countries.
    State Comptroller of Israel
  • The National Water Carrier draws some 290 million cubic metres a year on average from the Sea of Galilee (EcoPeace, 2011).
    EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East
  • Jordan diverts most of the Yarmouk's remaining water at the Adassiya dam to the King Abdullah Canal; under 40 million cubic metres a year flow downstream (EcoPeace, 2011).
    EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East

Who gained

Money that reached nature, beside money that stayed elsewhere.

Reached nature or the ground

Not published
No figure published.

Gained elsewhere

Not totalled
Currency: USD · Window: n/a. All figures cover the same period. * Estimate built from cited figures.

Responses on record

  • Israel Water Authority (May 2026): Told the State Comptroller in May 2026 that Israel's share of consumption is about a third of the total reduction in flow to the Dead Sea and about two thirds is consumed in neighbouring countries. · State Comptroller of Israel
  • Israel Environmental Protection Ministry (16 February 2022): Director-General Galit Cohen said in February 2022 that if Israel unilaterally diverted less Jordan River water, Jordan would oppose it because of its own water shortage. · The Times of Israel
  • Government of Jordan: No statement appears in the sources reviewed.
  • Government of Syria: No statement appears in the sources reviewed.

In court and with insurers

Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.

Lawsuits and rulings

No court case on record. No court has ruled on this case.

Insurers

No insurer decision on record.

What nature saw

Outcomes measured on the ground, and nature's note.

Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.

Jordan River inflow to the Dead Sea, 2022
under 100 million m3 a year
State Comptroller table; 1,000-1,300 million m3 in the first half of the 20th century
Share of the Lower Jordan's historical flow diverted
an estimated 97%
EcoPeace roadmap (2011), of some 1,250 million m3 a year
Yarmouk flow downstream of the Adassiya dam
under 40 million m3 a year
EcoPeace roadmap (2011); historically some 470 million m3 a year

What we don't know

Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.
Official audit finding

Nature

  • Disputed Which riparian users account for the loss of Jordan River water

Accounts

  • Disputed Whether Israel can restore flow unilaterally
  • None on record Governments of Jordan and Syria: No statement in the sources reviewed.

Record

  • Disputed Disputed: the shares of the diverters. The Water Authority puts Israel's share at about a third of the reduction in flow and the neighbouring countries at about two thirds; EcoPeace puts Israel's historical diversion at some 580 million of 1,250 million cubic metres a year (46%).
  • Disputed Disputed: the baseline flow. The Comptroller gives 1,000-1,300 million cubic metres a year; EcoPeace some 1,250 million (Lower Jordan); USGS and EcoPeace via the Times of Israel 1.3 billion; Galit Cohen 1,200 million.
  • Disputed Disputed: the current flow. The Comptroller gives under 100 million cubic metres (2022); Cohen 50 to 100 million (2022); USGS about 100 million; EcoPeace via the Times of Israel says 5 percent of 1.3 billion reaches the sea.
  • None on record None on record: a statement by the Governments of Syria or Jordan on their diversions of the Jordan and Yarmouk in the sources reviewed.
  • None on record None on record: volumes of the Jordanian King Abdullah Canal diversion and of Syrian dam storage in the sources reviewed.

Did the harm stop?

The sources reviewed do not report that the diversions have ended. The Times of Israel reported releases from the Deganya dam of 9 million cubic metres a year from 2013 with 30 million expected in 2017; the State Comptroller's 2022 figure for inflow is under 100 million cubic metres.

Who paid?

None on record: no compensation or restoration payment for the lost inflow in the sources reviewed.

Sources

Voices on record: ✓ Company or project✓ Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations✓ Communities and civil society— Researchers

Company or project

Government and regulators

Press and investigations

Communities and civil society

Connected cases

Related matters, and cases linked to this one through the same organisations, with the role each played in both.
Terms used on this page

Carbon and conservation finance

Baseline
The projected scenario of what would have happened without a project, such as an expected rate of deforestation. Credits are issued for the difference between the baseline and what actually happened, so an inflated baseline produces more credits.

Insurance

IOPC Funds
The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds: intergovernmental funds, financed by companies that receive oil by sea, that pay for tanker oil-spill damage above the shipowner's liability limit.
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