Abstract: Vulnerable riverbank slopes are prone to collapses and thus represents weak links of the Yangtze River flood control system.The evolution of vulnerable riverbank slopes directly impact levee stability and flood control safety.Based on a decade of observations of vulnerable sections of the middle reach of Yangtze River,we investigate the evolution patterns of vulnerable riverbank slopes and explore how water and sediment conditions,regulatory projects,and soil composition influence riverbed dynamics.Findings reveal that river regulation projects notably influence the stability of the near-bank riverbed,with a tendency towards bank slope stabilization being a prevailing trend.However,approximately one-third of the vulnerable sections exhibit a continued erosion steepening,attributed to local river regime adjustments.Vigilant monitoring and corresponding protective measures are thus imperative.These research outcomes hold significant implications for analyzing and projecting the development trend of key riverbank sections in the middle reach of Yangtze River and optimizing observation site layouts for these critical sections.

Key words: middle reach of Yangtze River, dangerous section, bank slope stability, water and sediment conditions, erosion and deposition evolution