Worthington | Waterway Barriers

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An ODINFloat HDPE boat barrier installed by SaskPower in 2024 at Island Falls Hydropower Plant in Canada. The floating safety boom prevents unauthorized access to hazardous waters above the plant and spillgates while withstanding all-season conditions.

Public Safety Around Dams

How Do You Keep People Safe Around Your Dam?
We Have Solutions.

People want to have fun at your dam – boating, fishing, swimming – but they are unaware of the dangers. Fast currents, sudden water level changes, hidden hazards, and remotely operated spillway gates.

As the dam owner, you’re responsible for minimizing these risks to protect both the public and your company from liability. We provide floating booms, buoys, audible warning systems, and clear signage to help you create a safer environment while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

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A MOTHER MADE IT HOME THAT EVENING

A TUFFBOOM floating safety barrier in Ontario, Canada, preventing a kayaker from being swept over a dangerous dam. The barrier also provided a stable platform for first responders to conduct a successful rescue.
TUFFBOOM® in Action

Only 9 months after the public safety boat barrier was installed, it was put to the test – and a mother made it home that night to her family. Swift currents above a dam overtook three kayakers on the Mississippi River in Canada. A mom and her two daughters out for a fun day on the river. They should not have been on the water that day. The flows were too dangerous but they were unaware of the dangers. Fortunately, TUFFBOOM® safety barriers, installed just nine months earlier, prevented a mother and her two daughters from going over the dam. The boat barriers saved this family’s lives and allowed first responders to safely conduct their rescue operations. This incident is a testament to Worthington’s expertise in designing safety solutions that protect lives and improve rescue efforts.

Not All Barriers Are Built for Debris—Some Are Designed for Safety

In this hydropower site near a university, the ODINFloat™ barrier wasn’t chosen for debris control—it was chosen for public safety. Key features:

  • All-season durability – Engineered to handle extreme spring freshet conditions
  • High-visibility design – Alerts recreational users to dangerous zones near the spillway
  • Self-rotating HDPE construction – Minimizes debris retention and flow obstruction
  • Deployed above and below the dam – Protects both headpond and spillway zones
  • Compliance-ready – Meets dam safety and public access risk guidelines

Worthington designs, supply’s, and installs floating safety booms to protect people – and dam owners.

An ODINFloat safety boom with 0.92m x 1.22m floats installed above a hydropower plant and spillgate structure, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring compliance with public safety guidelines.

Industry Leadership in Public Safety Around Dams Signage Solutions

Red and white “Danger – Dam Ahead, Keep Out” safety sign mounted on a bridge at Otonabee Dam at Lock 23. Installed to warn boaters and the public of hazardous waters ahead, this signage follows Canadian Dam Association and FEMA safety guidelines.

As a recognized leader in dam safety solutions, Worthington Products was selected to serve on FEMA’s Steering Committee for the development of the Dam Safety Warning Signs Best Practices guide (FEMA P-2188).

As a trusted partner to dam owners worldwide, we brought decades of field experience to the table—helping shape real-world guidance that protects lives and strengthens infrastructure safety.

This national standard was created to help dam owners reduce public safety risks, meet regulatory expectations, and limit liability by implementing clear, effective signage around dams, spillways, and hydropower intakes.

Public Safety SolutionsODINBoom®
ODINFloat®		TUFFBoom®FEMA Dam Safety
Signage		BoatBuster®SwiftFloat®
FeatureUltra-Durable Boom (50-Year Design Life)The Original Public Safety Barrier
Economical Log Boom		Hi Visibility Signage in accordance with dam safety industry best practices.Barrel Style Boat Barrier floats offering high visibility & strengthFloating Signage and fencing.
Where to deployHeadpond, tailrace, spillway, canal, run of river locationsHeadpond, reservoir, canal, run of river locationsAbove & below dams, at spillways, near public access areasHeadpond, tailrace, spillway, canal, run of river locationsHeadpond, reservoir, river, run of river locations
SeasonalityAll season use – all climates.All season use – southern and lower northern climates.All Season – all ClimatesAll season use – southern and lower northern climatesAll season use – southern and lower northern climates.
(not recommended during freshet)
MaterialHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) with co-extrusion technologyStandard polyethylene, steel & marine grade foam on interior.Marine grade aluminum, retroreflective sheeting, screening inks.Foam filled polythene shell encasing a thick walled steel axle.Pontoon style floats (polyethylene) with foam fill and aluminum or galvanized steel frame.
Durability50+ years20 year design life10-15 years20 year design life20 year design life

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Get one-on-one consultation with our barrier experts.

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Build a pricing plan that covers, design, supply, and installation

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Installed at the world’s top dam owners and hydropower utilities