Plot Synopsis

Narrated by Allegra Fulton, GREAT LAKES UNTAMED is a three-part documentary that explores the Great Lakes of North America. These five lakes are vast, each with its own story. In the wetlands surrounding Lake Superior, beavers build dams that create ponds and lakes, which provide habitat for wildlife and filter and purify the water. Grey wolves prey on beavers, thinning their numbers and keeping the waterways open. Together, they shape the landscape. The wetlands also provide an ideal breeding ground for common loons, who are a key indicator of the health of the Lake Superior headwaters. South of Superior, the Sleeping Bear Dunes are huge sand dunes formed by glacial meltwater. Biologists collect eggs from Piping Plover nests on a nearby beach as part of conservation efforts to protect this small, endangered bird from human activity. In Lake Michigan, scientist Jason Deboer monitors the approach of the invasive silver carp. This fish starves out native species of fish, putting the Great Lakes' fishing industry at risk. Lake Michigan drains into Lake Huron through the Straits of Mackinac, which are considered one of the most dangerous waterways in North America. It's a major shipping lane with one of the greatest concentrations of shipwrecks in the world. Diver Becky Schott explores the remains of the Sandusky, perfectly preserved by the cold, fresh water. In the Great Lakes Basin, the Great Horned Owl uses its powerful vision to hunt down an aquatic rodent, the muskrat. In the forests north of Lake Huron, beavers in the area build dams which create ponds that nourish the trees and provide a food source for a large population of black bears. The southerly Lake Erie sees huge numbers of migrating birds and insects -- including millions of monarch butterflies -- resting at Point Pelee before heading south to their winter homes. On Pelee Island, a red-tailed hawk preys on the endangered blue racer, a fast-moving snake native to the island. Water from Lake Erie flows through the Niagara River, over the Niagara Falls, and crashes into the polluted Lake Ontario. In recent years, it has seen signs of a rebound in recent years due in part to Tommy Thompson Park. The park is home to many animals, including the double-crested cormorant. Underneath the Ottawa River is an extensive underwater cave system. Diver Jill Heinerth explores these caves and collects data for Dr. Andre Martel. Freshwater mussels filter the water. On the cave floor, freshwater mussels filter and clean the water in the Ottawa River. The St. Lawrence River starts in the headwaters west of Lake Superior and flows 900 kilometers to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The river's estuary is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including seals and whales. THE GREAT LAKES UNTAMED made its U.S. debut on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel. Episodes include:

"Source to Sea" (U.S. premiere on Wednesday, October 12, 2022): It takes two hundred years for a drop of water from Lake Superior's shores to flow through the five Great Lakes into the Atlantic Ocean. Along this 4000-kilometre journey, development forces beavers and grey wolves to live together. Scientists work to contain invasive carp. Freshwater preserves shipwrecks downed by ocean-like waves. And divers explore newly-discovered underwater caves.

"The Big Freeze" (U.S. premiere on Wednesday, October 19, 2022): A polar vortex paralyzes fish and ducks attracting dozens of bald eagles. Wolves hunt a deer trapped by a frozen lake. Baby black bears use snow as insulation while ruffed grouse use it as camouflage from a lynx. This is the story of how snow and ice shape life in the Great Lakes.

"Marvels and Mysteries" (U.S. premiere on Wednesday, October 26, 2022): Spring in the Great Lakes is marked by extreme and unpredictable temperatures. Evolution's marvels such as glowing rocks are on full display during this calamitous time. Here, the world's largest surgeon spawning has inspired tales of ancient sea monsters. Black bears, moose and wolves prowl forests containing the only photosynthetic vertebrate in existence.