Articles | Volume 30, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2717-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-2717-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
08 May 2026
Research article |
| 08 May 2026
| 08 May 2026
Linking heavy rainfall to suspended sediment fluxes in a deglaciating Alpine catchment
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
now at: Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Oslo, Norway
Lena Katharina Schmidt
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Nele Eggers
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam, Germany
Jana Tjeda Brettin
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Oliver Korup
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Axel Bronstert
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Short summary
As glaciers retreat in mountain regions, heavy rainstorms increasingly control how much soil and sediment rivers carry downstream. We analysed rainfall and sediment data over 21 years in the Austrian Alps and found heavy precipitation events becoming more important for sediment movement, although total annual suspended sediment transport is declining as glaciers shrink. This shift may increase flood hazards, affecting ecosystems and water quality downstream.
As glaciers retreat in mountain regions, heavy rainstorms increasingly control how much soil and...
