In a recent study, two researchers have conducted a new assessment of a remote waterfall, indicating that the scarcely explored falls in the rugged boreal shield region of northern Manitoba could potentially be the tallest in the province. Alexander Martin and Lukas Olson utilized digital photogrammetry to measure Kapakaytay Falls located on the Odei River. Their initial findings propose that the height of the falls is approximately 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter height of Kwasitchewan Falls, which is commonly acknowledged as Manitoba’s highest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the accuracy of their measurement, stating, “We are fairly confident with this number, plus or minus one meter.” Although Kapakaytay Falls was previously measured by the federal government decades ago and listed at 58 feet on topographical maps, this information has not been widely disseminated, according to Martin, a Winnipeg native and ecology PhD student at the University of Oxford in England.
The remote location of the falls on the Odei River, around 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, poses significant accessibility challenges. Martin described the falls as “very inaccessible,” emphasizing the demanding journey required to reach the site, which involved navigating treacherous terrain, rapids, and logjams in wildfire-affected forests.
Embarking on a paddling expedition in July, Olson and Martin, with assistance from local guides, undertook a 105-kilometer round trip to document Kapakaytay Falls. The sight of the waterfall left them awestruck, with Martin highlighting the grandeur of the cascading water. Olson noted the relief upon reaching the destination after a strenuous expedition.
Inspired by a previous trip to the falls in 2019, the researchers utilized over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured by a drone for their photogrammetric analysis. Additionally, they conducted laser measurements of surrounding trees and natural features to enhance their model. Olson and Martin’s preliminary findings indicate a height of approximately 16 meters for Kapakaytay Falls, potentially surpassing the heights of Pisew Falls and Kwasitchewan Falls, which measure at 13 meters and 14 meters, respectively.
The researchers are currently working on publishing their research and aim to contribute to further exploration and documentation of the falls in the future. Reflecting on their expedition, Martin expressed the satisfaction of documenting such a remote and rarely seen natural wonder, highlighting the ongoing opportunities for exploration and discovery in uncharted territories.
The province’s data currently identifies Kwasitchewan Falls as the tallest waterfall in Manitoba, although it remains unclear if Kapakaytay Falls’ height has been previously recorded in provincial records. Olson and Martin’s research endeavors signify a step towards unraveling the mysteries of Manitoba’s natural landscapes for future generations.