Years of below - average rainfall, followed by the harsh summer of 1985, had taken a severe toll on the Sea of Galilee, and this freshwater lake was also being tapped for crop irrigation.
Mitu sademetevaest aastat, millele järgnes 1985. aasta põuane suvi, andsid end Galilea merel kõvasti tunda. Pealegi pumbati sellest magedaveelisest järvest vett ka põldude niisutamiseks.