Two scientists have conducted a fresh assessment of a remote waterfall, indicating that the rarely explored falls in the rugged boreal shield of northern Manitoba may 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 indicate a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter height of Kwasitchewan Falls near Thompson, which is widely regarded as Manitoba’s tallest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in their findings, stating a margin of error of plus or minus one meter. Despite being previously measured by the federal government decades ago at 58 feet (approximately 17 meters), the height of Kapakaytay Falls has not been widely shared. Martin, a Winnipeg resident and PhD student in ecology at the University of Oxford, highlighted the lack of consensus on the falls’ height, motivating their investigation to determine if it holds the title of Manitoba’s tallest waterfall.
Located on the Odei River about 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, Kapakaytay Falls poses a challenge to reach due to its remote and inaccessible nature. Martin and Olson embarked on a paddling expedition in July, navigating through wildfire-affected forests, challenging river terrains, rapids, and logjams with the assistance of local guides from the Thompson area.
The arduous 105-kilometer round trip journey led the researchers to a breathtaking sight as they encountered the waterfall for the first time, marveling at its immense size and the cascading water over the rocks. The expedition was inspired by an earlier trip in 2019 by Winnipeg resident Garrett Fache, who also believed Kapakaytay Falls to be Manitoba’s tallest waterfall after visiting the site.
Using over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured via drone and laser measurements of surrounding natural features, Olson and Martin employed digital photogrammetry to reconstruct and measure the waterfall. Their modeling work suggests Kapakaytay Falls may stand at around 16 meters, potentially surpassing the heights of Pisew Falls and Kwasitchewan Falls, which measure 13 and 14 meters, respectively.
The researchers are now focused on publishing their research findings and hope that their documentation of Kapakaytay Falls will contribute to further research on the site in the future. Despite the challenging expedition, Olson expressed fulfillment in documenting this remote and rarely seen natural wonder, emphasizing the importance of continued exploration and documentation of uncharted areas.