Caseless float for waterway barrier incorporating same

A barrier for a waterway, the barrier comprising:

• a plurality of caseless floats connected to one another to form a row;
• wherein each caseless float comprises a float body, the float body having a generally elongated shape extending between first and second ends, the float body formed of a single, homogenous high density urethane material which is arranged and configured for direct contact with water of the waterway;
• wherein the single homogeneous high density urethane material has a density between 20 lb/ft3 and about 26 lbs/ft3;
• wherein each one of the plurality of caseless floats further comprises mounting hardware for connecting its respective float body to an adjacent float body, and wherein the mounting hardware is co-molded into the float body such that it is anchored in the float body.

A method for forming a barrier for a waterway, comprising:

• forming a plurality of caseless float bodies, each one of the plurality of caseless float bodies formed of a single homogenous high density urethane material having a density between 20 lb/ft3 and about 26 lbs/ft3 and configured for direct contact with water of the waterway during normal operation;
• providing mounting hardware on each one of the plurality of caseless float bodies by co-molding the mounting hardware in the caseless float body;
• and
• wherein the mounting hardware is configured for connecting to at least another one of the plurality of caseless float bodies.