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Why is the water of the Jordan River relatively salty?

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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 Jordan River’s water has a relatively high degree of salinity primarily due to the presence of thermal springs, particularly in the Tiberias region near the Sea of Galilee, as well as the concentration of gypsum in the area.1

This salinity is significant enough that it can leave a salt residue in the soil when the river water is utilized for irrigation.1