Underwater Drone Documentary Shows Major Changes in Great Lakes Ecosystem

A new film using advanced underwater drones will show hidden views of Great Lakes life at a free screening this October at the Detroit Film Theatre. The footage takes viewers deep below the surface, where few have gone before.

All Too Clear: Beneath the Surface of the Great Lakes captures rare sights 300 feet underwater, including the first wild lake whitefish spawning ever caught on film. The water's striking clarity, caused by invasive mussels, made this filming possible.

"With its cinema-grade 4K camera and fiber-optic tether, we filmed in complete darkness, hundreds of feet down, capturing places and behaviours no human diver could ever reach," said filmmaker Zach Melnick according to Bridge Michigan.

The drone went where divers can't. Deep in the dark waters, it found old ships covered in mussels. Scientists now see the lakes changing in ways they never knew before.

Filmmaker Yvonne Drebert spoke about why they made the film. "Freshwater life is among the most threatened on Earth, yet it remains largely out of sight. We made "All Too Clear" to pull back the curtain on the Great Lakes—so people can finally see what's happening beneath the surface," Drebert said.

When the film ends, guests can talk with the makers and experts. Matt Herbert from The Nature Conservancy and Doug Craven from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians will share their views. Kelly House, who writes about the environment for Bridge Michigan, will guide the talk.

Many groups worked to bring this film to Detroit. Bridge Michigan joined with Detroit PBS, the Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre, Great Lakes Now, Michigan Public, and The Nature Conservancy to make it happen.

The show starts at 7 p.m. at the Detroit Film Theatre inside the Detroit Institute of Arts on Woodward Avenue. Want to go? Get your free spot through the theatre's website.