Winnipeg high school student creating documentary to save Lake Winnipeg

A Winnipeg high school student is creating a documentary to help save Lake Winnipeg.

William Bates, a Grade 12 student at Miles Macdonell Collegiate, is diving into the health of Lake Winnipeg as part of a school project, with the hope of creating change.

“I just thought [a documentary] was the best way that I could get the information out,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Monday.

“But I also wanted to try something new because I haven’t really edited before, and I wanted to try and make a documentary.”

The low water levels of Lake Winnipeg seen on May 21, 2024. (Jon Hendricks/CTV News Winnipeg)

Bates said he has a personal connection to Lake Winnipeg as he grew up with a cottage on the lake.

He said he’s noticed changes over the years, including zebra mussels and algae blooms, which he described as “heartbreaking.”

“Just seeing it change so much, it’s not a good feeling,” he said.

“Just knowing that it’s getting worse every year and every day.”

William Bates on the Instagram for the Lake Winnipeg Foundation. (Source: Instagram/savelakewpg)

Through his work, Bates said he’s learned how bad the issues on the lake really are.

He added the documentary will appeal to both younger and older audiences.

“I think the most important thing is just raising awareness, so that people are more aware of what’s going on,” he said.

“Not only in just spreading awareness, but making sure that the information that they’re getting is correct.”

• With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.