When I was at school, in the physics textbook there was a photo of a man floating in the Dead Sea
and reading a newspaper. It was fascinating - even today I remember that picture. The book
explained that due to the high water salinity, you can't sink in the Dead Sea - you will bob
on the surface like a cork. Well, after 30+ years, I could check for myself that it is still true
today (mind you, that water is v-i-c-i-o-u-s if it gets into your eyes...).

But the Dead Sea today is dying. For millennia, this landlocked lake 400 meters below the sea
level was fed by freshwater from the surrounding rivers, which made up for the evaporation losses.
Now, with most of those rivers diverted for agriculture and water supply, the Dead Sea is losing
about 1 meter of depth per year. Water level has declined by over 30 meters already...

Jordan plans to pipe in Red Sea water from Aqaba to the Dead Sea and generate some hydropower
along the way. Generating hydroelectricity from sea level water bodies may sound counterintiutive, until you recall that the Dead Sea is located 400 meters below the sea level... It remains to be seen if and when this project comes to pass.

Meanwhile, enjoy it while it lasts.