Bodrog

Bodrog is a river in Central Europe that flows through eastern Slovakia and northeastern Hungary. It is a tributary of the Tisza River and part of the Tisza watershed. The Bodrog rises in eastern Slovakia and crosses into Hungary, where it traverses the Bodrogköz plain and passes the towns of Sárospatak and Tokaj before joining the Tisza. The river’s landscape is closely linked with the surrounding lowland agriculture and the Tokaj wine region, a notable cultural and economic area along its course.

Hydrology and ecology form important aspects of the Bodrog. The river supports floodplain habitats and wetland areas that host a range of plant and animal species typical of Central European lowland rivers. Seasonal floods historically shaped the landscape and land use in the Bodrog valley, and contemporary water management seeks to balance flood protection with ecological restoration and agricultural needs.

Human use and management are characterized by irrigation, fishing, and recreation, alongside cross-border cooperation between Slovakia and Hungary. The Bodrog’s health and flows are monitored within broader river basin management plans that aim to improve water quality, habitat conservation, and sustainable use of the Bodrog’s resources. The river remains an integral part of the regional identity and landscape, particularly in the Tokaj wine region and the Bodrogköz plains.