Two scientists have conducted a new assessment of a remote waterfall, indicating that the rarely visited falls in the rugged boreal shield of northern Manitoba could be the tallest in the province. Alexander Martin and Lukas Olson utilized digital photogrammetry to measure Kapakaytay Falls on the Odei River. Their initial results suggest a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter Kwasitchewan Falls, located southwest of Thompson, which is widely acknowledged as Manitoba’s highest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement accuracy, with a margin of error of one meter. Although Kapakaytay Falls was measured by the federal government decades ago, the height of 58 feet (approximately 17 meters) listed on topographical maps was not widely disseminated, according to Martin, a Winnipeg resident and ecology PhD student at the University of Oxford in England.
The researchers embarked on their expedition to the falls in July, navigating the challenging terrain of the Odei River, located about 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg. The remote location of the waterfall required meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and wilderness experience to access. Despite the obstacles, Olson and Martin, aided by local guides, successfully reached the site after a 105-kilometer journey.
Upon encountering Kapakaytay Falls, the researchers were struck by its grandeur and the powerful flow of water over the rocks. Their expedition drew inspiration from a previous trip led by Winnipegger Garrett Fache in June 2019, where the team sought to explore the impressive waterfall.
Using over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured by a drone, Olson and Martin employed digital photogrammetry techniques to reconstruct and measure the waterfall. Laser measurements of surrounding trees and natural features were also incorporated into their model. Their analysis indicates that Kapakaytay Falls may stand at around 16 meters, potentially surpassing both Pisew Falls and Kwasitchewan Falls in height.
The researchers are currently working towards publishing their findings, aiming to contribute to future research on the falls. Despite the prevalent belief that Kwasitchewan Falls is the tallest in Manitoba, Olson and Martin’s research suggests that Kapakaytay Falls could claim that title, shedding light on this remote natural wonder.