Two scientists have conducted a fresh assessment of a distant waterfall, indicating that the rarely explored 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 findings propose a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter height of Kwasitchewan Falls, located southwest of Thompson, a waterfall widely recognized as Manitoba’s tallest.
Olson, a PhD candidate focusing on photogrammetry at the University of British Columbia, expressed confidence in the measurement, stating, “We are fairly confident with this number, plus or minus one meter.” While the federal government had previously measured Kapakaytay Falls 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.
The researchers were intrigued by the lack of consensus on the falls’ height and aimed to determine if Kapakaytay Falls indeed held the title of Manitoba’s tallest. Situated on the Odei River about 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, the falls presented significant challenges in accessibility, as noted by Martin.
Embarking on their expedition in July, Olson and Martin encountered obstacles such as navigating rapids and logjams in the wildfire-affected forests along the river. With the support of local guides from the Thompson area, the duo completed a demanding 105-kilometer round trip to reach the falls. Upon their first glimpse of the waterfall after days of paddling, they were struck by its immense size and the awe-inspiring volume of water cascading over the rocks.
Inspired by a previous journey led by Garrett Fache in June 2019, Olson and Martin utilized over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured by a drone for digital photogrammetry to reconstruct and measure the waterfall. In addition, they included laser measurements of surrounding trees and natural features in their model. Martin shared, “Our modeling work shows that it might be closer to 52 feet, versus a 46-foot height of what we consider to be the tallest waterfall in Manitoba.”
While the province asserted late Friday that Kwasitchewan Falls remained the highest based on its data, the actual height of Kapakaytay Falls in provincial records was unclear. The researchers are currently striving to publish their findings and hope that their documentation will facilitate future research on the site. Martin emphasized the importance of exploring and documenting remote areas despite the perception that the globe has been extensively mapped.
In conclusion, Olson and Martin’s expedition to measure Kapakaytay Falls sheds light on the potential of this remote site being Manitoba’s tallest waterfall, offering a fresh perspective on the province’s natural wonders.