A new study by the UEA’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research has found rivers in the east are likely to face persistent low flows and more droughts due to rising global temperatures.
The findings, published in the journal Earth’s Future, are based on analysis of nearly 700 river catchments in the UK to project how river flows may change at 2°C and 4°C of global warming.
The experts predict climate change could push UK rivers to “dangerous extremes” and rapid swings between wet and dry conditions – a phenomenon known as “hydroclimatic whiplash”.
Dr Yi He, the lead author, said: “For Norfolk, this matters because low river flows already place pressure on freshwater habitats, water supply, agriculture and river health.
“If intense rainfall follows a dry period, it may not simply “solve” the problem. It can also lead to rapid runoff, erosion, and poorer water quality as sediment, nutrients and pollutants are washed into rivers.
“The reverse is also challenging: after wet conditions, a rapid shift back to dry weather can give water managers, farmers and ecosystems very little time to adjust.
“Future planning is needed to consider water supply, drought resilience, river health, water quality and flood risk together, rather than treating them as separate issues.”
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