The aim of the paper is to analyse the rate of bank erosion of meanders along a short reach of the Hungarian section of the meandering River Hernád and to assess the relationship between the water stage and the rate of erosion. The active bank erosion within a 1.5-year period was analysed by field measurements and aerial photos were used to evaluate the process during the last 50 years. Hydrograph characteristics and extreme hydrological events were also evaluated in relation with bank erosion.
The research shows that a great flood has considerable channel-forming effect (3.7-9.8 m/half year), however significant erosion also occurs during the medium- and low-stage period following the flood (1.2-3.2 m/half year). Erosion rates of this low-stage period (1.2-3.2 m/half year) exceeded the average value (0.85-2.25 m/half year) of the former 30 years on each studied sites. However the rate of bank erosion can differ significantly even in nearby bends, which shows that local boundary conditions (e.g. bank material and height) and the stage of meander development have different effect in bend scale.