Abstract
Flow regulation in gravel-bed rivers impacts the hydrology, sediments and morphology, riparian vegetation, and vertical connectivity with the hyporheic zone. In this context, previous works have suggested that flood events may have riverine morphological and ecological benefits. In a Mediterranean-climate river system, we analyzed the impact of a 18-year return period flood on river morphology, riparian vegetation, fish aquatic habitat quality, and hyporheic exchange in a dam-regulated gravel-bed river, Serpis River (Spain). We collected pre- and post- flood riparian vegetation distributions and bathymetries, which were used to develop two-dimensional surface and three-dimensional subsurface numerical models to map surface and hyporheic hydraulics. Results show that the large flood removed the invasive giant reed from large areas, reshaped the in-channel morphology, by forming new bars and pools and enhancing the complexity of the flow field by scouring around large boulders. The habitat availability for the endemic Eastern Iberian chub (Squalius valentinus) and invasive bleak (Alburnus alburnus) increased. Hyporheic exchange showed limited change under losing conditions, but noticeable under neutral ambient groundwater condition. This study corroborates the beneficial effects that flood events or high flow releases may have on regulated streams and the potential use of high flow pulse as a restoration tool.
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•Findings support the Intermediate Disturbance Theory (IDT).•Floods have positive impacts on stream ecological functioning at various scales.•At the local scale, floods rearrange habitat distribution, enhance habitat diversity, and promote hyporheic exchange.•At the reach scale, floods increase streambed complexity and improve lateral and vertical connectivity.•Controlled high flow is an effective strategy to revitalize fluvial forms and riparian habitats.