In northern Manitoba’s rugged boreal shield, two researchers have conducted a new assessment of a distant waterfall, indicating that it 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 results propose a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter Kwasitchewan Falls, which is commonly recognized as Manitoba’s highest waterfall. Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement accuracy, within a margin of one meter.
Decades ago, the federal government had measured Kapakaytay Falls, noting a height of 58 feet or approximately 17 meters on topographical maps. However, this information was not widely disseminated. Martin, a Winnipeg resident and ecology PhD student at the University of Oxford, highlighted the lack of widespread acknowledgment of this height and the team’s interest in verifying it as Manitoba’s tallest.
Located about 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg on the Odei River, Kapakaytay Falls poses significant accessibility challenges due to its remote location. Martin described the falls as concealed within wildfire-affected forests, necessitating the negotiation of challenging river terrains, rapids, and logjams during their paddling expedition in July. The arduous 105-kilometer round trip demanded meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and backcountry know-how, with local guides assisting Olson and Martin in accessing the site.
Upon encountering the waterfall after several days of paddling, the researchers were captivated by its magnificence and the vast volume of water cascading over the rocks. The journey was physically demanding, leaving both researchers exhausted and bruised. The expedition was inspired by a 2019 trip led by Winnipegger Garrett Fache, who had speculated on Kapakaytay Falls potentially surpassing Kwasitchewan Falls in height.
Using over 1,000 two-dimensional drone images, Olson and Martin employed digital photogrammetry to reconstruct and measure the waterfall accurately. Additionally, laser measurements of surrounding trees and natural features were incorporated into their analysis. Their modeling work suggested that Kapakaytay Falls might be closer to 52 feet, challenging the existing belief that Kwasitchewan Falls, at 46 feet, is the tallest in Manitoba. Pisew Falls, measuring 13 meters, and Kwasitchewan Falls at 14 meters were dwarfed by the researchers’ preliminary estimate of Kapakaytay’s height at about 16 meters.
The researchers are currently in the process of publishing their findings and aim to contribute to future research on the falls. Despite the belief by the province that Kwasitchewan Falls remains the highest, Olson and Martin’s work sheds new light on the potential of Kapakaytay Falls as Manitoba’s tallest waterfall, offering a fresh perspective on unexplored areas for documentation and exploration.
