Repeated high flows drive morphological change in rivers in recently deglaciated catchments

Climate change is decreasing glacier cover and increasing the frequency magnitude of precipitation-driven high flows floods in many regions world. Precipitation may become dominant water source for river systems recently deglaciated catchments, with major rainfall events driving significant changes channel morphology. Few studies, however, have examined response to repeated flows. In this study, we measured geomorphological condition four low-order rivers catchments (70–210 years ice free) before after a series during summer 2014. High drove substantial initial morphological change, up 75% baseflow planform position active form from pre- post-high flow. Post-high flow were associated increased instream wood complexity at all but youngest river. Channel part an relaxation stage rivers, where channels continued migrate, varied through time. Overall, these measurements permit us propose conceptual model role geomorphologically effective context paraglacial adjustment theory. Specifically, suggest that older can undergo short-term (<10 years) increase rate development as result recruitment migration following Enhancing our knowledge processes important management riverine ecosystem resources rapidly changing environments.