This study evaluates the impact of different management strategies on groundwater management level and classification in the Zanjan alluvial aquifer, northwestern Iran, during the observation period 2002-2021. Groundwater-dependent ecosystem is supported via alluvial springs and groundwater contribution to the Zanjanrud river baseflow, resulting in a mean annual volume of environmental supporting by 10.07 million cubic meters (MCM) during the study period. Normal and sustainable groundwater availabilities are 232.86 and 156.35 MCM, respectively, relying on fact that the aquifer can provide 156.35 MCM itself for human-related activities while further water supply originates from adjacent aquifer(s), leading to a water stress on the aquifer vicinity. Normal and sustainable managements are -14.6 % and -70.7 %, respectively during the period 2002-2021, implying a groundwater mismanagement for 16 years evidenced by groundwater storage depletion (similar to 34 MCM). Though reductions in wells' abstraction rates, alfalfa cultivation area, and non-licensed pumping rates by 40 %, 80 %, and 100 %, respectively, lead to groundwater storage recovery, the Zanjan aquifer predominantly experiences pseudo-sustainable management. This relies on the aquifer's insufficiency to fully supply water demands, resulting in transfer water stress to adjacent aquifers. Simultaneous implementation of multiple alternatives improves groundwater management, while requiring much smaller reductions compared to corresponding reductions in a single alternative. Meanwhile, different levels of reductions in farmers' income and the need for subsidy payments may affect adoption of the scenario. Finally, interpreting aquifer management based solely on groundwater storage change and water level may lead to misclassification, whereas quantification of normal and sustainable levels can provide accurate management classification.