University of Tehran Press Journal of Ecohydrology 2423-6098 11 4 2024 12 21 Assessment of Surface Water Distribution Process Performance Based on Localized Indicators of the Water-Food-Energy Nexus: A Case Study of the Nekoabad Irrigation Network in Isfahan Assessment of Surface Water Distribution Process Performance Based on Localized Indicators of the Water-Food-Energy Nexus: A Case Study of the Nekoabad Irrigation Network in Isfahan 495 510 100189 10.22059/ije.2025.385613.1850 FA Dorsa Rahparast Dept. of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aburaihan), University College of Agriculture &amp; Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Seied Mehdy Hashemy Shahdany Associate professorو Water Engineering Department, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University College of Agriculture &amp;amp; Natural Resources, University of Tehran Abbas Roozbahani Dept. of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aburaihan), University College of Agriculture &amp; Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2024 09 15 <strong>Objective</strong>: The main objective of this study is to assess and analyze the performance of the existing operation system under various operation scenarios and to examine the water and energy productivity in the agricultural units.<br /><strong>Method</strong>: In the first step, the surface water distribution was simulated using the existing operation system under different operation scenarios. Then, spatial evaluation of surface water distribution and the calculation of groundwater extraction in 459 agricultural units were carried out. Finally, the performance of the surface water distribution process was evaluated based on the localized indicators.<br /><strong>Results</strong>: The results showed that under normal operation conditions, only 43 agricultural units (9% of the network area) had surface water productivity in the good range. In contrast, 436 agricultural units (94% of the network area) had low energy productivity. Furthermore, the carbon production index indicated higher emissions in 292 agricultural units out of the total 459 units.<br /><strong>Conclusions</strong>: The findings of the study revealed that, with increased water scarcity in the second operation scenario, the situation deteriorated significantly in all indicators. These results highlight the urgent need to improve and enhance the efficiency of the operation system and alternative methods of surface water distribution within these units. <strong>Objective</strong>: The main objective of this study is to assess and analyze the performance of the existing operation system under various operation scenarios and to examine the water and energy productivity in the agricultural units.<br /><strong>Method</strong>: In the first step, the surface water distribution was simulated using the existing operation system under different operation scenarios. Then, spatial evaluation of surface water distribution and the calculation of groundwater extraction in 459 agricultural units were carried out. Finally, the performance of the surface water distribution process was evaluated based on the localized indicators.<br /><strong>Results</strong>: The results showed that under normal operation conditions, only 43 agricultural units (9% of the network area) had surface water productivity in the good range. In contrast, 436 agricultural units (94% of the network area) had low energy productivity. Furthermore, the carbon production index indicated higher emissions in 292 agricultural units out of the total 459 units.<br /><strong>Conclusions</strong>: The findings of the study revealed that, with increased water scarcity in the second operation scenario, the situation deteriorated significantly in all indicators. These results highlight the urgent need to improve and enhance the efficiency of the operation system and alternative methods of surface water distribution within these units. https://ije.ut.ac.ir/article_100189_2749de368d190e7d058612bdb763ea63.pdf