Two scientists have conducted a new assessment of a remote waterfall in northern Manitoba, indicating that it could be the tallest in the province. Alexander Martin and Lukas Olson employed digital photogrammetry to measure Kapakaytay Falls on the Odei River. Their initial findings propose a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter Kwasitchewan Falls, which is commonly recognized as Manitoba’s highest waterfall. Olson, a University of British Columbia PhD candidate specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement accuracy, stating a margin of error of one meter.
Although the federal government had previously measured Kapakaytay Falls decades ago, the data was not widely disseminated. Martin, an ecology PhD student at the University of Oxford from Winnipeg, highlighted the lack of widespread awareness regarding the falls’ height, prompting their investigation to ascertain if it holds the title of Manitoba’s tallest waterfall. Located roughly 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, the falls are situated in a remote and challenging area.
The researchers embarked on a demanding paddling expedition in July, navigating through rough terrain and whitewater sections with the assistance of local guides from the Thompson region. Upon reaching the waterfall after a strenuous 105-kilometer journey, Martin and Olson were captivated by its grandeur and the sheer volume of water cascading over the rocks. The expedition was inspired by a previous trip led by Garrett Fache in 2019, who also believed Kapakaytay Falls could potentially be Manitoba’s tallest based on topographic maps and personal observations.
Utilizing over 1,000 drone-captured images and laser measurements of surrounding vegetation, Olson and Martin employed digital photogrammetry to reconstruct and measure the waterfall. Their modeling work suggested a height closer to 52 feet, challenging the previous measurement of 58 feet by the government and surpassing the height of Pisew Falls and Kwasitchewan Falls. The researchers’ preliminary assessment estimated Kapakaytay Falls to be around 16 meters high, providing a valuable contribution to the understanding of this remote site.
The province’s official data currently upholds Kwasitchewan Falls as the tallest in Manitoba, and it remains unclear if Kapakaytay Falls’ height has been included in provincial records. Olson and Martin are now focused on publishing their research findings, hoping to contribute to future studies on the falls. Despite the extensive mapping of the globe, Martin emphasized the importance of ongoing exploration and documentation of lesser-known sites.