Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP)
This five-day course is designed to train and certify users in a variety of standardized stream assessment techniques for evaluating habitat, benthic invertebrate and fish communities in Ontario's wadeable streams.
These methods are documented in the OSAP Manual and are provincially recognized as standards by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and federally recognized by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The techniques require varying levels of effort and provide data with a corresponding range of precision. Like the modular OSAP manual, the training is organized into the following complementary units: identifying and documenting site locations; benthos sampling; temperature sampling; fish community sampling; characterizing physical processes and in-stream structure; and data management. Students can register for the whole course or just a selection of these individual units.
Introductory (i.e. Level 1) benthos identification (OBBN) and Level 1 and Level 2 fish identification courses are offered concurrently on the weekend preceding the OSAP course, and Class 2 backpack electrofishing certification is also available.
Who should attend? This course is intended for field crews and resource managers involved in stream surveys and management.
Next Courses are Scheduled for:
Registration for these courses is available online at: To be announced
For additional detailed information or to be placed on a waiting list please contact: Scott Jarvie at 416-661-6600 ext. 5312.
OSAP Reference Materials
Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol Manual ver. 8, edited July 2010
2005. Stanfield, L. [ed.]. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Summary: The Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP) contains a series of standardized methodologies for identifying sites, evaluating benthic macroinvertebrates, fish communities, physical habitat and water temperatures in wadeable streams. The OSAP provides standardized methods that ensure data repeatability. Use of these standard methodologies allow data to be shared, used for multiple purposes and stored in a common database.
Document: Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (PDF, 24MB, 368 p.)
OSAP Compendium Manual - Guidelines for Designing and Interpreting Stream Surveys in Ontario - ver. 1.1. 2003
Summary: The materials provided in this manual are intended to compliment the procedures described in the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol by providing advice on study design and interpretation of results.
Document: Guidelines for Designing and Interpreting Stream Surveys in Ontario (PDF, 8.4MB, 210 p.)
HabProgs Database (ver 8_06_04_2010)
Summary: HabProgs is a relational database that has been specifically developed for use with the modules described in the OSAP manual. The use of HabProgs is encouraged, to ensure that data can be permanently archived and be available to others. HabProgs is a MS Access application that runs on vers. 2000 or 2003. To obtain a copy for use please Contact OMNR at 613-476-8777
Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol - Training Videos
