Late Glacial Hydrology of the Upper Pite River Valley, Swedish Lapland

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the entire drainage basin of the Pite River, Swedish Lapland, but emphasis is placed on analyzing the morphology of the valley upstream of Benbrytar-forsen Rapids, some 100 km from the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. In particular a comparison is made between the late glacial river system and the present-day Pite River, and details of both river systems are presented in map form. On morphological grounds the Pite River valley is divided into four segments. These are: 1. the valley within the high mountain region, 2. the valley within the premontane region, 3. the interior area above the highest late glacial shoreline, and 4. the valley below the highest late glacial shoreline. In order to emphasize the differences between the Pite River today and the glaciofluvial drainage network, four key sections of the upper river valley are described: Kaskaure/Låddaure, Kouddujaure/Falehaure, Apmo, and Bådakatj. The last mentioned site, the largest boulder delta complex in Sweden, has been discussed in three previous reports as well.