This study identifies critical social and environmental concerns surrounding run of river hydroelectric development in British Columbia (BC) and suggests ways to address some of these concerns at the project‐level. This study suggests that by applying good site selection processes and Best Management Practices (BMPs), many adverse impacts can be avoided, reduced or mitigated. Sets of BMPs are compiled from four Environmental Assessments carried out in the last decade in BC. Also, a set of critical site selection factors is suggested to help avoid adverse effects by choosing the best available location. This study concludes with areas for future study to aid in further reducing undesirable social and environmental effects caused by run of river power development projects.