Two scientists have conducted a recent assessment of a distant waterfall, indicating that the sparsely-visited 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 suggest a height of 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, estimating a margin of error within one meter. Although Kapakaytay Falls was previously measured by the federal government decades ago and noted as 58 feet or around 17 meters on topographical maps, this data was not widely disseminated.

The researchers embarked on a challenging journey to reach the falls, hidden deep within wildfire-affected forests along the Odei River, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Thompson and 690 kilometers north of Winnipeg. The expedition required meticulous planning, whitewater expertise, and backcountry knowledge due to the difficult terrain, rapids, and logjams along the route.

Assisted by local guides, Olson and Martin paddled over 100 kilometers to reach the falls, where they were captivated by its grandeur upon first sight. The researchers employed drone-captured images and laser measurements to conduct digital photogrammetry, indicating a height of approximately 16 meters for Kapakaytay Falls.

The duo’s expedition was inspired by a previous trip led by Winnipegger Garrett Fache in 2019, who believed Kapakaytay Falls surpassed Kwasitchewan Falls in height after visiting the site with two fellow paddlers. The researchers are currently working on publishing their findings and hope that their documentation of the falls will contribute to future research efforts at this remote location.

Despite existing data from the province asserting Kwasitchewan Falls as the tallest, the researchers’ measurements suggest Kapakaytay Falls could potentially claim that title. Olson and Martin are enthusiastic about the opportunity to explore and document lesser-known natural wonders, emphasizing the importance of continued exploration even in a seemingly mapped world.