Two scientists have conducted a new assessment of a distant waterfall, indicating that the sparsely visited falls in the remote boreal shield of northern Manitoba may be the tallest in the province. Alexander Martin and Lukas Olson used digital photogrammetry to measure Kapakaytay Falls on the Odei River. Their initial findings suggest a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter Kwasitchewan Falls near Thompson, which is widely regarded as Manitoba’s highest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement accuracy, stating a margin of error of plus or minus one meter. While the federal government had previously measured Kapakaytay Falls decades ago, the height listed on topographical maps at 58 feet (approximately 17 meters) had not been widely circulated, according to Martin, a Winnipeg-based PhD student in ecology at the University of Oxford.
Located approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, Kapakaytay Falls presented a challenging journey for the researchers. Navigating through wildfire-affected forests and challenging river terrain, including rapids and logjams, required meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and wilderness experience.
The duo embarked on a paddling expedition in July, with the assistance of local guides from the Thompson area. After days of paddling, their first view of the waterfall left them amazed by its sheer size and the powerful flow of water over the rocks. Olson described the expedition as physically demanding, emphasizing the relief of reaching the site after days of paddling and navigating the rugged landscape.
Inspired by a previous trip in 2019, the researchers utilized over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured by a drone for digital photogrammetry analysis. Laser measurements of trees and surroundings were also incorporated into their model. Their modeling work suggests a height closer to 52 feet for Kapakaytay Falls, surpassing the 46-foot height of the previously considered tallest Manitoba waterfall, Pisew Falls, measuring at 13 meters, and Kwasitchewan Falls at 14 meters.
Despite not being the first to visit the site, Olson expressed satisfaction in documenting the remote waterfall and its surroundings, highlighting the joy of contributing to the research and exploration of lesser-known areas. The researchers are currently working on publishing their findings and hope that their documentation will aid future research endeavors at the site.
