Multidimensional Analysis of the Social Performance of a Segment of the Sefidroud Irrigation Scheme in Guilan Province | ||
| تحقیقات آب و خاک ایران | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 25 May 2025 PDF (1019.81 K) | ||
| Document Type: Research Paper | ||
| DOI: 10.22059/ijswr.2025.393951.669926 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Afshin Ashrafzadeh* 1; Jaber Salehpour Laghani2; Morteza Lotfirad3 | ||
| 1Department of Irrigation and Reclamation Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran | ||
| 2Department, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran | ||
| 3Civil Engineering and Architecture Faculty, Shahid Chamaran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study evaluates the social performance of a segment of the Sefidroud irrigation network in Guilan, specifically, the Langroud Canal and its 10 secondary canals, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were collected via questionnaires from stakeholders of these secondary canals, and their performance was assessed based on four key indicators: satisfaction, equity, economic impacts, and participation. According to the Delphi method, these indicators were assigned weights of 0.25, 0.25, 0.15, and 0.35, respectively. A K-Means clustering analysis grouped the secondary canals into three performance tiers: high, medium, and low. The participation index consistently scored low across all clusters (median around 25) and showed no significant correlation with other indicators. Qualitative analysis of interviews highlighted key concerns: water distribution challenges (mentioned 8 times), user dissatisfaction (7 mentions), and low participation (6 mentions) were the most frequently cited issues. A strong correlation between the equity and economic impacts indices (r = 0.74) emphasized the role of fair water access in improving economic conditions. The findings point to systemic issues, such as weak participation mechanisms and inequitable water distribution within the Langroud Canal system. To enhance the network’s social performance, the study recommends strengthening social capital, improving infrastructure, and implementing educational programs. Overall, the research underscores the need for an integrated approach to achieve sustainable irrigation network management. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Irrigation Management; Stakeholder Participation; Equitable Water Distribution; Social Sustainability | ||
| References | ||
|
| ||
|
Statistics Article View: 41 PDF Download: 26 |
||