Objective: Creation and dissemination of knowledge to support the management of Lake Kinneret as a sustainable source of national water supply.
Core Activities:
- Monitoring of major parameters (physical, chemical, biological) affecting Lake Kinneret ecosystem and lake water quality;
- Development of ecosystem models for evaluation of lake management scenarios;
- Studies on the limnological processes regulating the appearance of potentially toxic algae and assessment of possible impacts on lake water quality;
- Evaluation of the impact of lake level fluctuations on its ecosystem and water quality.
The Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, situated at the ‘Sapir’ Site (Tabha) on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, is actively engaged in continuous monitoring of the water quality within the Sea of Galilee and researches to better understand the processes that occur in the lake and their impact. The collected monitoring and research data play a crucial role in determining the management of the Sea of Galilee as a vital component of the national water supply system and its utilization for various purposes such as recreation and fishing, all while ensuring the preservation of water quality. The laboratory serves as an authoritative source of information and professional guidance for the Water Commission, Kinneret Administration, public institutions, and the private sector, concerning sustainable usage of the Kinneret.
The monitoring and research endeavors carried out by the laboratory are interconnected. The monitoring program for the Sea of Galilee encompasses both periodic and continuous data sampling from multiple locations within the lake, involving extensive analysis of various physical, chemical, and biological parameters that serve as indicators of water quality. The laboratory’s investigations into the operational processes occurring within the Sea of Galilee and its surrounding basin guide the monitoring activities and establish a scientific foundation for interpreting the collected data. These studies address multiple facets, including flow and ebb processes within the lake, transport of materials into and within the Sea of Galilee, the ecological structure and functioning of the lake, the causes behind the proliferation of harmful algae, the ecological framework for understanding changes in water levels, and the evaluation of human activities and technological interventions through the use of comprehensive models that simulate the various processes in the Sea of Galilee.
The laboratory’s professional staff comprises approximately 30 researchers, research assistants, and technicians, each specializing in diverse areas of limnology (lake science). Additionally, students from domestic and international higher education institutions, under the guidance of the laboratory’s researchers, contribute to advanced research work across different domains. The laboratory fosters collaborations with numerous universities and research institutions worldwide, while also providing training and professional consultation to developing nations.
To facilitate research and monitoring activities, the Kinneret Research Laboratory utilizes advanced tools and facilities, including research vessels, a research raft stationed at the center of the Sea of Galilee, functioning as an independent system for continuous environmental monitoring, continuous data collection systems deployed in the lake, and various sampling and data collection mechanisms integrated into the research vessels. The laboratory encompasses analytical laboratories (chemical and biological), a microscope laboratory for algae and plankton identification, experimental setups to simulate the flow dynamics within the Sea of Galilee, and more.
Within the laboratory, the Kinneret Information Center operates as a central hub for collecting, documenting, and disseminating data and information pertaining to the Kinneret.
Moreover, the laboratory offers a range of professional services, including environmental surveys conducted in the Sea of Galilee and the Hikva basin, chemical and biological testing of water bodies, and expert guidance on water quality issues and the operation of water bodies.
