Ontario Power Generation (OPG) manages an extensive portfolio of dams and water conveyance structures supported by a mature Waterways Public Safety Program. Waterway booms and buoys are critical elements of this program, helping prevent the public from inadvertently entering hazardous areas. OPG, in collaboration with Hatch, has developed a comprehensive Technical Design Guideline for Waterway Booms. The guideline establishes design criteria and outlines a structured design process; however, it is intended as guidance rather than a specification or prescriptive design manual. Effective application requires designers to exercise sound engineering judgment, supported by a thorough understanding of the applicable loads, design theory and practical considerations, while taking responsibility for their designs. Effective system design begins with clearly defining the intended function — public safety, debris capture/deflection, ice retention, or a combination of these. Designers must determine when the system will be deployed, develop preliminary layouts, and evaluate suitable materials. Functional requirements such as visibility, freeboard and durability influence material and configuration choices. The design process requires assembling key background data, assessing the hydraulics of the area and selecting an optimal location. Designers calculate loads and may conduct an alternatives assessment to identify a preferred alignment and material type that best meets owner needs and site conditions. Once a concept is selected, detailed design, environmental permitting, and tendering activities follow. Drawing on extensive design and construction experience, OPG and Hatch have compiled numerous lessons learned related to booms, buoys, and anchor performance, as well as construction and installation practices.