Encamilla D. H. auteur aut IRD Mitroi V. auteur aut IRD Molle François auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access The state of Ceara has spearheaded the implementation of participatory river basin comanagement in Brazil. This study examines the Patu Dam, tracing how water allocation under comanagement was designed, adapted, and institutionalized. It shows how the watershed scale fragments in a semi-arid context, giving rise to evolving hydrosocial territories. These juxtaposed, nested, or interconnected territories shift in response to water scarcity and participatory processes that are shaped by institutions, infrastructure, historical experiences of drought, power structures, and the prevalence of the State's technical knowledge. This territorial lens highlights river basin management that differs from the conventional state- and basin-centred model. specialized Co-management scales hydrosocial territories basin management water Ceara Brazil BRESIL CEARA 098 062 51 2 160-182 2026 0250-8060 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010096413 10.1080/02508060.2026.2626898 0250-8060 [F B010096413] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010096413 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2026-03/010096413.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2026-03-11 2026-04-10 fdi:010096413 fre