Extreme precipitation events play a crucial role in influencing water quality by altering hydrological processes, nutrient loadings and sediment dynamics. However, quantifying the impacts of different dimensions (i.e. intensity, duration, and frequency) of extreme weather events on inland water quality remains challenging. This study develops a conceptual framework to assess the impacts of extreme weather precipitation events on lake water quality at the catchment scale. We integrate remote sensing, time-series of water levels, and rainfall data to analyse the effects of a five-day extreme precipitation event in 2022 on short-term changes in water quality of the Wivenhoe Lake catchment and the Brisbane River basin in southeast Queensland, Australia. The intensity of this event is identified using percentile thresholds, water levels and water surface area, while its magnitude is examined by considering 29 years of precipitation record (1995-2024). Water quality changes are evaluated using satellite-derived indices, with the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI) for chlorophyll a (chl a) and the Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI) for turbidity. Results indicate a significant increase in chl a and turbidity following the extreme precipitation event, with large spatial variations from the propagation of water quality changes downstream. To validate findings, we also examined both chl a and turbidity changes downstream, in a tributary (Esk Creek) and an estuarine area (Moreton Bay), which share similar climatic conditions. Our findings highlight the growing frequency of such events due to climate change and underscore the importance of remote sensing in monitoring their effects on water quality at the catchment scale. This research provides a methodological foundation for assessing climate-driven water quality changes and informs sustainable water resource management strategies.