From Baptism to Restoration: The Jordan River Lives Again (Alumot Dam)

Information about the Alumot Dam itself will be provided after this announcement. Due to the current situation and the ongoing war, I haven’t been able to guide tours in person as usual. However, I’m eager to continue sharing the rich and sacred history of the Holy Land through my videos. If you enjoy these journeys and would like to stay connected, I warmly invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel, where I bring Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Israel to life from wherever you are. For more insights and updates, follow me on Facebook and Instagram — I regularly share additional content, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments you won’t want to miss. If you feel inspired to support my work, your generosity helps me keep these videos coming. Whether through a simple subscription, sharing with friends interested in Israel’s history, or by supporting me directly, every bit makes a difference. I also offer a personal touch: upon your request, I would be honored to pray for you at the Western Wall, light a candle in your name at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, or anywhere meaningful in the Holy Land. If you have any special personal requests, please reach out — I’m happy to respond and even create a dedicated video for you. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. With gratitude, Your tour guide, Zahi Shaked Support and purchase of crosses: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/zahishaked PayPal Support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/zahis... As part of my ongoing journey to stay updated as a certified tour guide, I visited the newly redeveloped Alumot Dam on the Jordan River. This is a fascinating ecological and landscape restoration site located in the southern Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) region. Stretching between the Yardenit baptismal site and Kibbutz Degania, the area now features a newly constructed and well-maintained promenade. This one-kilometer trail is paved and fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. It offers a peaceful walking experience along the southern Jordan River with shaded seating areas, informative ecological signs, and a pedestrian bridge connecting both banks of the river. The promenade is part of a wider initiative to rehabilitate the southern slopes of the Jordan. At the center of this transformation is the new Alumot Dam, a major national project led by Mekorot, the Israel Water Authority, and the Kinneret Drainage and Rivers Authority. The dam regulates the flow of the Jordan River, helps maintain the level of the Sea of Galilee, supports efficient agricultural irrigation, and provides a response to flooding and drought. It also includes a fish ladder that preserves ecological continuity for aquatic life. The new dam was built nearly 90 years after the original structure was dismantled. It reflects an investment of about 11 million shekels. The work included ecological restoration of the riverbanks, planting of trees, construction of service roads, and widening of the riverbed to improve flow and sustainability. North of the dam, the water is clean and flows strongly. South of the dam, the water may be brackish or treated and is not suitable for swimming. There are no lifeguards or supervision, and entering the water is at your own risk. Looking ahead, the area is expected to become a declared nature reserve and national park. The official opening is planned for summer 2025, and entry will be free of charge. Future developments include campgrounds, bike trails, and a continuous path for walking and cycling from the Sea of Galilee to Nahal Bezek in the northern Jordan Valley. This project is more than an infrastructure upgrade. It is a renewed invitation to connect with Israel’s natural beauty, ecological vision, and the biblical landscape of the Jordan River. #jordanriver #holyland #baptismsite #israel #seaofgalilee #bibleland #natureisrael #ecologicalrestoration #tourinisrael #christianpilgrimage #נהרהירדן #ארץהקודש #אתרטבילה #ישראל #יםהגליל #טבעבישראל #שיקוםאקולוגי #מדריךטיולים #תיירותנוצרית #הכנרת