Two scientists have conducted a new assessment of an isolated waterfall, indicating that the rarely visited falls in Manitoba’s rugged boreal shield region may be the tallest in the province. Alexander Martin and Lukas Olson utilized digital photogrammetry to measure Kapakaytay Falls on the Odei River, revealing a height of 16 meters, slightly surpassing the 14-meter Kwasitchewan Falls, commonly believed to be Manitoba’s highest waterfall.
Olson, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia specializing in photogrammetry, expressed confidence in the measurement accuracy, stating a margin of error of plus or minus one meter. Although Kapakaytay Falls was previously measured by the federal government, the information was not widely disseminated, as noted by Martin, a Winnipeg-based PhD student in ecology at the University of Oxford.
Situated 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg, the falls on the Odei River are challenging to access, as described by Martin. The researchers embarked on a paddling expedition in July, requiring meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and wilderness experience to navigate through the wildfire-affected forests and treacherous river conditions.
After a strenuous 105-kilometer journey, Olson and Martin, with assistance from local guides, were greeted with a stunning view of the waterfall. The researchers used digital photogrammetry techniques, capturing over 1,000 images with a drone to reconstruct and measure the waterfall accurately. Their findings suggest Kapakaytay Falls may indeed be the tallest in Manitoba, with a height of about 16 meters.
The duo’s expedition was inspired by a previous trip led by Garrett Fache, who visited the falls in 2019 and believed it to be Manitoba’s tallest waterfall. Olson and Martin are now working on publishing their research findings, aiming to contribute to future studies of the site. Their documentation of the falls could potentially provide valuable insights for further exploration and understanding of this remote natural wonder.
