From the surface, it may be hard to tell the difference between a floating baffle and turbidity curtain. However, underneath the water, their purposes are very different. A baffle is specifically designed to control waterflow, preventing short-circuits or channeling within a body of water. Turbidity curtains are focused on controlling the flow of sediment, allowing floating particles to settle in the water.
Floating baffles can be used to improve the efficiency of aerators, prevent settling, or to control the flow of water in your particular project. A turbidity curtain will be a concern if you need to prevent erosion, or control the runoff of sediment after the fact. Because turbidity curtains are meant to catch sediment, they are not designed to redirect or control the flow of water.