Two scientists have conducted a new measurement of a remote waterfall, indicating that the rarely visited falls in the rugged boreal shield region of northern Manitoba 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 that the height of the falls is around 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter height of Kwasitchewan Falls, located southwest of Thompson, which is widely recognized as Manitoba’s tallest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement accuracy, with a margin of error of approximately one meter. While Kapakaytay Falls was previously measured by the federal government decades ago, the data was not extensively shared, according to Martin, a Winnipeg resident and ecology PhD student at the University of Oxford.
Due to the lack of widespread knowledge about its height, the researchers were intrigued to determine if Kapakaytay Falls indeed holds the title of Manitoba’s tallest waterfall. Situated on the Odei River, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, the falls present a challenging accessibility factor, as noted by Martin.
Embarking on a paddling expedition in July, Martin and Olson faced a demanding journey that required meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and backcountry skills. Navigating through rapids and logjams, the researchers eventually reached the remote waterfall after a strenuous 105-kilometer round trip with the assistance of local guides in the Thompson area.
Upon their first glimpse of the waterfall, the researchers were captivated by its grandeur and the powerful flow of water cascading over the rocks. The expedition was inspired by a previous trip undertaken by Winnipegger Garrett Fache in 2019 to explore the impressive waterfall.
Using over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured by a drone, Martin and Olson employed digital photogrammetry to reconstruct and measure the waterfall. Laser measurements of surrounding trees and natural features were also taken to enhance their model accuracy.
While the federal government initially recorded the falls at 58 feet, the researchers’ modeling work suggests a revised height of around 52 feet, compared to the 46-foot height of the current tallest waterfall in Manitoba, Pisew Falls. The researchers’ preliminary assessment indicates that Kapakaytay Falls measures approximately 16 meters.
Olson expressed satisfaction with their findings and the opportunity to document the remote site, emphasizing the joy derived from exploring and preserving such hidden natural wonders. As they work towards publication of their research, Martin and Olson aim to contribute to future studies of the falls for continued exploration and documentation.