Israel government study says Dead Sea imperiled by evaporation

AP ^ | 11/05/03 | AP

[freedom44]

Jerusalem-(AP) -- The Dead Sea is dying because it's drying up.

That's the assessment of Israel's Minister of the Environment, who says only a major engineering effort can save it.

The Dead Sea gets its name from the salt content so high that it can't accommodate sea creatures.

An Israeli TV report illustrated the shrinking shoreline. A reporter stood at the spot where 20 years ago water met land. That spot is now 2,000 feet away, across the parched landscape.

The Dead Sea is so salty that people can float with no effort. It's popular for spas and treatments at luxury hotels.

Its only water source is the Jordan River, pouring in from the north. But Israel and Jordan have been tapping it for irrigation for decades, robbing the Dead Sea of its replacement water.

The Israeli Cabinet will be asked to review the environmental study.

[dirtboy]

The Dead Sea is dying because it's drying up.

Uh, dude, it's been called the Dead Sea for centuries, long before the waters of the River Jordan were diverted to the level they now are.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

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[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[graycamel]

What good is it if nothing drinks from it or can live in it? At least if it's diverted to farms and garden hoses people will have something to drink.

[Lee Heggy]

I'm sorry sir but your sea is dead....quite dead.

[hang 'em]

Not dead, merely pining for the fiords

[bethelgrad]

not good for drinking, but fun to float in. you don't have to tread water or anything, just lay back.

[RightWhale]

It's a tourist resort.

[Lee Heggy]

Yeah, Cmon hon let's get away from al this infantada stuff today and go down to the Dead Sea! Get the kids out of their explosive vests and make some sandwiches for later...It'll be perfect! Let's hope it hits a hundred and three and that there will be lot's of sand flies and scorpions! Surfs dead!

[SwinneySwitch]

Probably been dead since Lot's wife looked back at Sodom, and she became a pillar of salt.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You've been there, then ?

[Lee Heggy]

Yes, I was there once and I suppose there may be some theraputic value in it for the locals but it was really hot and smelly. Not much 'fun'.

[Mat_Helm]

Just build a canal to carry agriculture tail water from irrigation which carries heavy salts that runs into the Dead Sea.

[anotherview]

not good for drinking, but fun to float in. you don't have to tread water or anything, just lay back.

Just be sure to wash yourself thoroughly afterwards. The minerals and salts can really burn your skin otherwise.

[facedown]

Headline: "Israel government study says Dead Sea imperiled by evaporation"

Penultimate paragraph: "Its only water source is the Jordan River, pouring in from the north. But Israel and Jordan have been tapping it for irrigation for decades, robbing the Dead Sea of its replacement water. "

Huh?

[Plumrodimus]

What good is it if nothing drinks from it or can live in it? At least if it's diverted to farms and garden hoses people will have something to drink.

The article about this in the USA Today explained that the surrounding vegetation still depends on it...somehow.

[bethelgrad]

Oh I did. They had showers right on the beach for us. I felt itchy soon after leaving the water and was anxious for a shower.