Two researchers have conducted a new assessment of a distant waterfall that indicates the rarely explored falls in the rugged boreal shield 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 propose a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter height of Kwasitchewan Falls, located southwest of Thompson, a waterfall widely recognized as Manitoba’s tallest.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, stated, “We are quite confident with this measurement, give or take one meter.” Kapakaytay Falls was previously measured by the federal government several decades ago. While topographical maps list its height as 58 feet or roughly 17 meters, this information was not widely disseminated, as mentioned by Martin, a Winnipegger and PhD student in ecology at the University of Oxford.
Describing the falls as “a very inaccessible waterfall,” Martin highlighted the challenging journey undertaken by him and Olson in July. The expedition required meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and wilderness knowledge, navigating through rapids and logjams along the Odei River, about 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg.
The researchers used over 1,000 two-dimensional images captured with a drone to reconstruct and measure the waterfall through digital photogrammetry. Additionally, they conducted laser measurements of the surrounding trees and natural features. Martin explained, “The federal government initially measured it at 58 feet. Our modeling work indicates it may be closer to 52 feet, compared to the 46-foot height of the waterfall we currently consider Manitoba’s tallest.”
Preliminary results from the researchers estimate Kapakaytay Falls to be around 16 meters high. Olson expressed satisfaction, stating, “While we’re not the first to visit, being able to document this remote site brings me joy.” The province stated that based on its data, Kwasitchewan Falls remains the tallest, although it is unclear if Kapakaytay’s height has been officially recorded in provincial data. Olson and Martin are now in the process of publishing their research, aiming to contribute to further studies of the falls in the future.
