Constructed pit-lakes are a relatively new form of restoration and closure technology in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. Developing these systems to perform like natural Boreal lake systems can be challenging with lake watersheds often composed of a complex series of adjacent and hydrologically integrated landscape units. Empirical pilot-scale projects can be a useful tool to identify the key hydrological processes as they evolve within these systems and provide useful components to inform scaled up models. Evaluating how the hydrological response units (HRU) function and connect throughout a watershed can potentially be an indicator for the future success of a constructed system. In this study, we look at the evolving components of a pilot-scale pit-lake watershed by evaluating the catchment water budgets within the 5 initial years post construction. This study looks at processes at a HRU scale across the hydrological year including overwinter, spring freshet and summer components. The study compares the differences between measured components at a HRU scale and at a watershed scale to highlight the importance of process based empirical studies in future reclamation projects.