Options for a More Sustainable Water Management in the Lower Jordan Valley

Orthofer, Rudolf; Daoud, R.; Isaac, Jad; Shuval, Hillel I.

doi:10.1007/978-3-540-69509-7_7

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The evapotranspiration was calculated using measurements obtained by the Israeli Meteorological Service (personal communication, 2001) in the nearby Eden farm (3.0, 5.1, 5.3, 6.5, and 6.9 mm d −1 in February, March, April, June, and August 2001, respectively) and an average effective width of 25 m (Holtzman, 2003). The resulting evapotranspiration values are similar to published records (Salameh, 1996; Hamberg, 2000; Orthofer et al, 2001).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Quantifying Ground Water Inputs along the Lower Jordan River

et al. 2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The flow rate of the Lower Jordan River has changed dramatically during the second half of the 20th century. The diversion of its major natural sources reduced its flow rate and led to drying events during the drought years of 2000 and 2001. Under these conditions of low flow rates, the potential influence of external sources on the river discharge and chemical composition became significant. Our measurements show that the concentrations of chloride, calcium, and sodium in the river water decrease along the first 20-km section, while sulfate and magnesium concentrations increase. These variations were addressed by a recent geochemical study, suggesting that ground water inflow plays a major role. To further examine the role of ground water, we applied mass-balance calculations, using detailed flow rate measurements, water samplings, and chemical analyses along the northern (upstream) part of the river. Our flow-rate measurements showed that the river base-flow during 2000 and 2001 was 500 to 1100 L s(-1), which is about 40 times lower than the historical flow rates. Our measurements and calculations indicate that ground water input was 20 to 80% of the river water flow, and 20 to 50% of its solute mass flow. This study independently identifies the composition of possible end-members. These end-members contain high sulfate concentration and have similar chemical characteristics as were found in agricultural drains and in the "saline" Yarmouk River. Future regional development plans that include the river flow rate and chemistry should consider the interactions between the river and its shallow ground water system.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 88%

Quantifying Ground Water Inputs along the Lower Jordan River

et al. 2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It may be said that the Dead Sea's steady disappearance is a direct result of the water management strategies of the River Jordan riparians (Tal 2001). While 100 years ago the River Jordan's discharge into the Dead Sea was about 1,200-1,300 million cubic meters per year (MCM/yr) of freshwater, it has been reduced to about 900 MCM/yr by the 1940's and now is not more than 100-200 MCM/yr of saline and polluted water (Orthofer 2001;Al-Weshah 2000;Orthofer et al 2001;Rabi 1997 ;Shavit 2001). The main reason for this decline is that water from the Upper Jordan River as well as water from the Lower Jordan River tributaries (e.g.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Future for the Dead Sea Basin: Water Culture among Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians

Lipchin

2006

SSRN Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. Terms of use: Documents in SummaryThe Dead Sea basin plays a major role for regional economic development (industry, tourism and agriculture) in the Middle East. This potential is threatened by the steady disappearance of the Dead Sea. Since around 1930 the water level of the Dead Sea has fallen by about 25 m, about half of this alone in the last 20 years. The Dead Sea is a transboundary resource shared by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. The Dead Sea is the terminal point of the Jordan River watershed and as such, it serves as a barometer for the health of the overall system. Its rapid decline reflects the present water management strategies of the riparian and upstream countries. This includes the different water cultures of the three countries. Throughout history, the Dead Sea basin has served as a source of refuge and inspiration for followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Today, the religious significance of the Dead Sea is being overshadowed by its rapid disappearance. This may be explained in part by the water cultures of the three countries that influence water policy in the region. Ideology, together with culture and tradition, such as that of Zionism in Israel, has played a central role in water development in the region. In many cases, this has been at the expense of the environment. Elements pertaining to environmental security and water culture and tradition, whereby a sustainably managed environment provides for social, economic as well as environmental benefits are evident with regards the Dead Sea. The decline for example, undermines its potential as a tourist destination, despite the enormous investment in hotel and resort infrastructures in Israel and in Jordan. The decline also raises ethical issues about the exploitation of water resources by present generations at the expense of this natural heritage to future generations. This paper provides an analysis of a European Union funded project whose aims are to synthesize and assess existing physical and socio-economic data and to assess options for a better future for the Dead Sea. It will identify the patterns of water supply and use in the region, and the factors that control these patterns, including those of water culture. The underlying assumption is that solutions for a more sustainable development than today's scenario will not come from simply providing "more water for more development", but from a new land and water management system, indeed ethic, that is sen...

show abstract

“…In addition, several inflows from side wadis were reduced because of exploitation of their headwaters (cf. Orthofer et al, 2001). Another cause for the decline might be found in a reduced water discharge from below-surface inflows, but the interaction between enhanced groundwater abstraction in the populated western and eastern uplands and these underground springs are not yet understood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One option is to (at least partially) restore the flow of the River Jordan to around 450 MCM/year, which has been found to be a realistic possibility in a previous study (Orthofer et al, 2001). The stopping of the evaporation by mineral works would provide an additional 200-250 MCM/year.…”

Section: Projecting Future Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Water Resources Management and Security in the Middle East

Lipchin¹,

Pallant²,

Saranga³

et al. 2007

NATO Science for Peace and Security Series

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This Series presents the results of scientific meetings supported under the NATO Advanced Research Workshops (ARW) are expert meetings where an intense but informal exchange of views at the frontiers of a subject aims at identifying directions for future action re-organised. Recent volumes on topics not related to security, which result from meetings supported under the programme earlier, may be found in the NATO Science Series. Sub-Series D.Information and Communication Security IOS Press IOS Press

show abstract

Options for a More Sustainable Water Management in the Lower Jordan Valley

Cited by 7 publications

References 1 publication

Quantifying Ground Water Inputs along the Lower Jordan River

Quantifying Ground Water Inputs along the Lower Jordan River

A Future for the Dead Sea Basin: Water Culture among Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians

Integrated Water Resources Management and Security in the Middle East

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About