Two researchers have conducted a new assessment of a remote waterfall, indicating that the infrequently visited falls in the rugged boreal shield of northern Manitoba may 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 height of Kwasitchewan Falls, located southwest of Thompson, which is widely believed to be Manitoba’s tallest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement, stating, “We are fairly confident with this number, plus or minus one meter.” Kapakaytay Falls had been previously measured by the federal government decades ago, with topographical maps listing the height as 58 feet, or approximately 17 meters. However, this information was not widely shared, according to Martin, a Winnipeg resident and ecology PhD student at the University of Oxford.
The falls are situated on the Odei River, about 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg. Martin described the waterfall as “very inaccessible” due to its remote location. The researchers embarked on a challenging paddling expedition in July, requiring meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and backcountry knowledge to navigate the rapids and obstacles along the river.
After a strenuous 105-kilometer round trip journey, Olson and Martin, with the assistance of local guides, were struck by the grandeur of the waterfall as they approached it. The researchers captured over 1,000 two-dimensional images using a drone for digital photogrammetry and laser measurements of surrounding trees to create a model of the waterfall. Their modeling work suggested a height closer to 52 feet, compared to the 46-foot height of the previously considered tallest waterfall in Manitoba, Kwasitchewan Falls.
Olson expressed fulfillment with their work, stating, “While we’re not the first people here … to actually be able to document this remote site, which not too many people see, does bring me a little bit of joy.” The researchers are now focused on getting their research published and hope that their documentation of the falls will facilitate further exploration and understanding of the site in the future.
