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The story behind this technological marvel: How did Israel overcome topographical challenges to build its nation's waterways?
Israel's National Water Carrier means survival and prosperity for this water-scarce country. The main function of the waterway is to transport the Sea of Galilee in the north to the densely populated central region and the arid south. Since its completion in 1964, the project has not only been a symbol of technological innovation, but also a story of how Israel has responded to various challenges in water management.
The national waterway is approximately 130 kilometres long and can carry up to 72,000 cubic metres of water per hour, overcoming a variety of terrain and altitude challenges.
History: From concept to realization
After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the urgent need to solve water resource problems initiated the detailed planning and construction of the country's waterways. Initially known as the Jordan Valley Unified Water Scheme, construction began in 1953 and was completed in 1964 at a total cost of approximately 420 million Israeli lira.
Operation and function of waterways
The nation's waterways operate in a complex system of large pipes, open canals, tunnels, storage tanks and large pumping stations. The coordinated operation of these facilities ensures the effective use and supply regulation of water resources.
Agriculture and drinking water allocation
In the early days of the waterway, 80% of the water was used for agriculture and only 20% was used for drinking. The situation changed in the 1990s, the demand for drinking water gradually increased, and by 2010, it was estimated that 80% of water resources would be used for drinking water supply.
As the population grows and living standards improve, Israel's demand for water is also rising.
Advances in desalination technology
Since 2015, Israel has made significant progress in desalination technology, gradually reducing its reliance on the nation’s waterways. This not only improves water resource management, but also helps restore the ecological environment of the Sea of Galilee.
Waterway routes and technical challenges
The waterway's route includes a pipeline that enters from the Sea of Galilee and a series of pumping stations designed to accommodate rapidly rising water pressures and overcome the challenging terrain. Along the way, there were many natural obstacles, which forced the engineering team to find innovative solutions.
The construction of the waterway was not only a challenge of engineering technology, but also a test of wisdom and creativity, which ultimately enabled Israel to establish a powerful water resources management system.
Environmental Challenges and Future Prospects
However, the operation of the nation's waterways also raises environmental concerns. For example, the drop in the water level of the Dead Sea has led to serious changes in the natural ecology. Coupled with the problem of land subsidence due to water shortage, future water resource management faces greater challenges.
International Water Resources Cooperation and Geopolitics
The distribution of water resources has also become complicated by political conflicts in the Middle East. The goal is to find opportunities for cooperation among countries to balance the food and living needs of water resources. For Israel, the use of water is not only a technical challenge, but also an important geopolitical issue.
End: Future water challenges
In the face of growing water demands and increasing environmental challenges, can Israel’s national waterways continue to play their vital role and foster international cooperation to ensure sustainable water development?
