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How does the Sea of Galilee affect the Jordan River’s flow?

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Arid, rugged hills and winding roads in the Jordan Rift Valley, with the Jordan River and a small reservoir visible in the distance. — Jordan River Portion of the Jordan Valley, a rift valley that runs north-south along the Jordan River.

The Sea of Galilee plays a significant role in managing the Jordan River’s hydrology by helping to govern its rate of flow.1

As the river flows southward, it drops into the Sea of Galilee, which acts as a natural reservoir. After exiting the lake from its southern shore, the river continues its course toward the Dead Sea. In addition to its natural regulatory function, the lake serves as the starting point for the National Water Carrier, a major infrastructure project that pumps and diverts water from the Jordan River system to supply Israel's coastal and southern regions. This large-scale diversion, along with similar water management efforts by Jordan, has significantly reduced the volume of water flowing through the river and into the Dead Sea.12