The Hula project: N and P dynamics in Lake Agmon and pollutants removal from the Kinneret inputs

During the 1950s the natural Lake Hula and swamps were dried and more than 65x10(6) m(2) of wetland area with a unique natural composition of fauna and flora was turned over to agricultural use. Forty five years later 5.5x10(6) m(2) of this area went through processes causing soil deterioration and a reclamation project was proposed for these soils. The proposal was implemented aimed at ensuring income resource to the land owners and to remove pollutants from the Lake Kinneret inputs. It was found that the newly created (1994) Lake Agmon is acting as a nitrogen sink and the phosphorus is recycled by submerged macrophytes. Long term records of nutrient influx from the catchment (with Hula Valley being major contributor) into Lake Kinneret indicates a decline of organic nitrogen and an increase of SRP The potential effect of nutrient loads reduction by the Hula Project is presented.