A River Ran Through It

Jordan is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. Demand for water greatly outstrips available water sources, and the margin is worsening. The Lower Jordan River Valley is a unique ecosystem stretching along both banks of the world’s lowest river, one of the oldest routes of human migration, with natural and cultural sites valued all over the world. Over the years, this unique river valley is threatened by excessive water diversion, pollution and inappropriate development causing the Jordan River to lose more than 90 percent of its normal flow. Upstream, at the Sea of Galilea, the water is diverted via Israel’s National Water Carrier, while dams built by Jordan and Syria claim a share of the river mostly for agriculture and domestic consumption. The fight over the Jordan is just another example for potential conflict over water that exists throughout our world.