Great Lakes Wild Season 1 Episode 6 The Damning Truth

As the season gets closer to its end on Great Lakes Wild, episode 6 "The Damning Truth" brings a revealing piece on one of the most critical issues within the scope of the great lake region in North America. Collaborating with ecologists, scientists, and security personnel, the show explores the reality of damming and its massive contribution to the ecosystem's imbalance.

The episode starts with a brief historical context of how damming has always been a divisive issue. Owing to the tremendous hydroelectric power generation and the guaranteed water supply for agriculture, industrial and metropolitan areas, many deemed it a worthwhile cause. Still, the naturalists view the blocking of river systems as a significant factor of wildlife extinction, harming the total biodiversity and ecosystemic health.

The host, Emmett Morris, begins by taking the viewers on a tour to the hydroelectric dam at Sault Ste. Marie. Emmett paints a visual picture of the enormous structure, which has a maximum capacity of 76 million cubic feet of water flow per second. The first guest appearance of the series sees a local ecologist, Jamey Lexis, giving an overview of the damming process and the negative impact it has on the northern ecosystem.

In the next segment, Emmett takes along security personnel on a journey to the most inhospitable areas of the lock-wall. The show reveals the unspeakable dangers faced by personnel in charge of the semi-perilous shutdown of the entire turbine system. There is also an emotional conversation with a security guard who recounts the bitter experience of working in the critical zones of the plant.

The show's most significant portion is centered on the ecological impact that the Sault Ste. Marie hydroelectric dam imposes on the Great Lakes ecosystem. The host interviews an environmental researcher, Dr. Caroline Greene, who uses her experience to highlight how damming affects the natural cycle of aquatic organisms. She talks about the impact that hydroelectric power plants have on interrupting the regional ecosystem by diverting water bodies to foreign areas and how the critical balance has been severely affected by damming.

Emmett then visits Huron river in search of answers to the current ecological threat posed by upstream damming. Sebastian, a local fisheries expert in Huron river, offers an insightful perspective on how damming affects the fishes' spawning sites and reduces the total fish population size. He describes how family fisheries and recreational fishing activities have been adversely affected by the damming process.

Finally, the show offers some solutions on what the future of damming will look like. Emmet speaks with an energy expert on the potential for alternative renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy to take over from hydroelectric power. He then highlights the increasing campaign to dismantle dysfunctional dams, which has become an international hotspot.

The Great Lakes Wild season 1 episode 6 is a fascinating exploration of an often ignored environmental issue. It offers an in-depth view of the dangers of damming, the massive impact on the ecosystem, and some possible solutions. The episode is both educational and entertaining, and it provides an excellent watch for any nature enthusiast willing to learn more about the ecological workings of the great lake region.