A new lake classification scheme for the Peace-Athabasca Delta (Canada) characterizes hydrological processes that cause lake-level variation

•Concerns over lake drying in the Peace-Athabasca Delta motivated this study.•Depth loggers captured lake-level responses to flooding, rainfall and evaporation.•Four patterns comprise a new classification scheme for lakes in the PAD.•Timing, magnitude and extent of open-water flooding was quantified.•Open-water season river flooding identified as an important recharge mechanism.