In July 1996 torrential rains caused widespread flooding in Central Québec. At the Kénogami Paper Mill, near Jonquière, an earthfill dam was washed away, emptying a reservoir which supplied the mill with process water and powered a 1.5-MW hydroelectric generating plant.

Hatch Energy accepted the challenge of replacing the dam in 4 months—by the end of November. Conceptual and feasibility studies were completed in a week. A Hatch Energy team at Jonquière designed a one-of-a-kind replacement dam comprising rockfill shells with a granular core and a cement-bentonite cutoff wall, and a double rockfill groin cofferdam. Contractors were pre-qualified, documents prepared, and contracts awarded. Hatch Energy also supervised construction and managed the project on a fast-track basis.