 Lakes on floodplains play a crucial role in retaining water and altering biogeochemical processes, but existing strategies for estimating water storage are insufficient for dynamic floodplain lakes due to limited observations. Combining satellite imagery with digital elevation models and limited gauge data generated accurate water storage estimates as a function of surface hydrological connectivity in Poyang Lake, China. Despite having a small portion of the lake's water volume, floodplain lakes occupy a large part of its surface water area, especially during low water periods. Floodplain lakes, particularly those in the upper delta, contribute to relieving drought conditions in Poyang Lake. This article was authored by Z Tan, J Melik, Y Li and others.