Two scientists have conducted a new assessment of a distant waterfall, indicating that the rarely explored falls in the rugged boreal shield of northern Manitoba could be the highest 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 and widely recognized as Manitoba’s tallest waterfall. Olson, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of British Columbia, specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement accuracy, with a margin of error of one meter.
The height of Kapakaytay Falls was previously determined by the federal government several decades ago, listed on topographical maps as 58 feet or approximately 17 meters, though this information was not widely disseminated, explained Martin, a Winnipeg resident and Ph.D. student in ecology at the University of Oxford. Given the lack of established data on its height, the researchers were intrigued to ascertain if Kapakaytay Falls indeed holds the title of Manitoba’s tallest waterfall.
Positioned on the Odei River, about 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, Kapakaytay Falls poses as a highly remote and challenging location to access, as noted by Martin. The researchers embarked on a paddling expedition in July, requiring meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and backcountry acumen to navigate the treacherous terrains, including rapids and logjams, along the river.
Covering a total distance of 105 kilometers, Olson and Martin, with assistance from local guides in the Thompson region, journeyed to Kapakaytay Falls. Their awe was palpable as they caught their first glimpse of the waterfall after days of paddling. The majestic size and the cascading water over the rocks left a lasting impression on them. Olson recounted the relief of reaching the site after enduring physical strain throughout the expedition.
Inspired by a previous trip in June 2019 involving Winnipegger Garrett Fache, who ventured to investigate the height and appearance of the waterfall, Olson and Martin employed over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured by a drone for the digital photogrammetry process. They also conducted laser measurements of the surrounding trees and natural features to enhance their model accuracy.
While the federal government initially measured Kapakaytay Falls at 58 feet, their modeling indicated a height closer to 52 feet, compared to the 46-foot height of Manitoba’s currently recognized tallest waterfall. Pisew Falls, located southwest of Thompson, measures at 13 meters, and Kwasitchewan Falls stands at 14 meters, with the researchers’ preliminary findings estimating Kapakaytay Falls at approximately 16 meters.
Olson expressed fulfillment in documenting this remote site, highlighting the significance of their work in shedding light on less-explored natural wonders. The province, in a statement late Friday, reiterated its data confirming Kwasitchewan Falls as the highest waterfall, raising questions about the inclusion of Kapakaytay’s height in official records. Olson and Martin are now focused on publishing their research findings to contribute to future studies on the falls, emphasizing the continued opportunities for exploration and documentation in remote regions.
