It has been widely accepted that channel geometry on alluvial fans is predominantly controlled by upstream boundary conditions and remains stable if those conditions do not change. This study challenges that notion by examining how channel width on alluvial fans varies in space and time under constant upstream conditions. Experiments using a sediment mixture (sand and crushed walnut) with constant sediment and water discharge rates reveal distinct patterns. In lower water discharge runs, total channel width decreases over time, while in higher discharge runs, it increases. Theoretical principles suggest that channel width is inversely proportional to grain size. The disproportional advancement of sand reaches relative to the fan margin, which varies across different discharge runs, drives changes in slope and channel width over time. This study highlights that surface grain-size distribution can change as the fan grows, even when external conditions remain constant, leading to variations in channel geometry.