Scale, governance and the management of river basins: A case study from Central Iran

► We describe the process of overcommitment of water in the Zayandeh Rud, Iran. ► Cross-scale interactions are pervasive in overcommitted basins. ► Intervention on the water cycle generates diverse third-party impacts. ► We stress spatial and social redistribution of water and attendant benefits and costs. ► Forms of comanagement are needed to better articulate different levels of governance.