Which river is the primary inflow to the Dead Sea?

The Jordan River is the primary inflow to the Dead Sea.

The river rises in the region of Mount Hermon, flows south through the Sea of Galilee, and continues down the Jordan Valley before entering the northern Dead Sea. Its watershed has made it one of the most historically important rivers in the Middle East, associated with ancient kingdoms and major Jewish and Christian traditions.

The Dead Sea has no natural outlet. Water entering from the Jordan River and smaller tributaries is lost mainly through intense evaporation, leaving behind exceptionally concentrated salts and minerals. This balance explains both the lake’s shrinking level and its famous buoyant, mineral-rich water.

The Yarmouk River and Zarqa River are important tributaries within the wider Jordan system, while the Litani and Kishon flow elsewhere in the region. Modern dams, irrigation, and water diversions have greatly reduced the Jordan’s flow into the Dead Sea, contributing to the sea’s continuing decline.