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River management, from a geomorphological perspective, is predicated on channel stability. However, projected changes in climate and associated flood magnitude and frequency make this an unreasonable aspiration. In turn, rivers managed for stability generally have lower self-adjustment potential for adapting to future changes in extreme flood event magnitude, duration and/or frequency. Such lack of adjustment may cause river systems to teeter at or near thresholds with increased probability for changing boundary conditions and violation of design assumptions to drive failure of traditionally engineered schemes. A paradigm shift in river management is needed. We need to move away from a ‘command-and-control’ mindset that interprets resilience as resistance to boundary changes in rivers and maximises floodwater conveyance. An approach that ‘works with the river’ is needed, where rivers can adapt to …