Two scientists have conducted a new assessment of a remote waterfall, indicating that the rarely explored falls in northern Manitoba’s rugged boreal shield may be the tallest in the province. Through the use of digital photogrammetry, Alexander Martin and Lukas Olson measured Kapakaytay Falls on the Odei River. Their initial findings suggest a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter Kwasitchewan Falls, located southwest of Thompson, which is widely recognized as Manitoba’s highest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement, stating, “We are fairly confident with this number, plus or minus one meter.” While the height of Kapakaytay Falls was previously recorded by the federal government as 58 feet, or approximately 17 meters, Martin, a Winnipeg resident and ecology PhD student at the University of Oxford, noted that this information was not widely disseminated. Hence, they sought to verify if it indeed holds the title of Manitoba’s tallest waterfall.
Situated on the Odei River, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, Kapakaytay Falls poses a challenge to access. Martin described it as “a very inaccessible waterfall.” The researchers embarked on a paddling expedition in July, navigating through the wildfire-affected forests and challenging river terrain, including rapids and logjams.
The journey covered a distance of 105 kilometers for Olson and Martin, who received assistance from local guides in Thompson. Upon reaching the waterfall after several days of paddling, they were captivated by its grandeur and the powerful flow of water over the rocks. Olson described the expedition as demanding, with both researchers feeling exhausted and physically worn out.
Inspired by a trip led by Winnipegger Garrett Fache in June 2019, Olson and Martin used over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured via drone to reconstruct and measure Kapakaytay Falls using digital photogrammetry. Their modeling work indicated a height closer to 52 feet, compared to the previously recorded 58 feet, potentially surpassing the height of the currently recognized tallest waterfall in Manitoba, which is 46 feet.
As they work towards publishing their research, Olson and Martin hope that their documentation of Kapakaytay Falls will contribute to further exploration and understanding of the site in the future. Martin emphasized the significance of discovering and documenting remote locations that remain relatively unexplored despite the perception that the entire globe has been mapped.
The Manitoba government, in a statement late Friday afternoon, maintained that Kwasitchewan Falls is the highest in the province. However, it remains unclear if the height of Kapakaytay Falls has been previously recorded in the province’s data records. The researchers are optimistic that their findings will shed light on this remote natural wonder and potentially reshape the understanding of Manitoba’s waterfall landscape.