Two scientists have conducted a new assessment of a remote waterfall, indicating that the rarely explored falls in northern Manitoba’s rugged boreal shield 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 suggest a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter Kwasitchewan Falls, which is widely recognized as Manitoba’s tallest waterfall.
Olson, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, mentioned that they are reasonably confident in the measurement, give or take a meter. Although the federal government had measured Kapakaytay Falls decades ago, the height of 58 feet (approximately 17 meters) listed on topographical maps was not widely circulated, as noted by Martin, a Winnipeg resident and Ph.D. student in ecology at the University of Oxford.
The researchers embarked on their paddling expedition in July to reach the falls, located around 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson, Manitoba, and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg. Martin described the waterfall as very secluded, nestled deep within wildfire-damaged forests, along a river with challenging terrain, requiring navigation through rapids and logjams.
With the assistance of local guides from the Thompson area, Olson and Martin completed a 105-kilometer round trip journey to the waterfall. Upon sighting the falls after days of paddling, both researchers were awe-inspired by its immense size and the powerful flow of water over the rocks. The expedition was physically demanding, with Olson expressing relief upon reaching the site after enduring fatigue and bruises from the challenging journey.
Inspired by a previous trip by Garrett Fache in June 2019, Olson and Martin used over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured with a drone to reconstruct and measure the waterfall through digital photogrammetry. Their modeling work suggested a height closer to 52 feet, compared to the originally measured 58 feet, potentially making Kapakaytay Falls taller than the current tallest waterfall in Manitoba, which is 46 feet.
The researchers’ ongoing efforts to publish their findings aim to contribute to further research on the falls in the future. Despite challenges in accessing remote areas, documenting such sites brings a sense of accomplishment, as noted by Olson and Martin, who hope to shed light on the unexplored territories within the province.