In 1955, Yarkon Water Project opens to supply water to Negev desert in Israel. Water shortage is a severe problem in Israel. There is not much water in this area and the existing sources lie partly in Syria and Jordan. The Yarkon “flows” through the most densely populated areas of the country to the Mediterranean. The river has deteriorated rapidly since the 1950s due to excessive draining for irrigation by the National Water Carrier; with marked decline in water quality, animal habitats, flora and fauna. The National Water Carrier (1964), which crosses Israel from north to south, is the 81-mile main artery connecting all regional water projects in the State.