Mt. Vernon Bridge (US280 Bridge)

Mt. Vernon Bridge at US280 provides access to the Oconee River, a large river system with a 5275 square mile drainage area. This is a significant waterway flowing through Wheeler County, Georgia, with an average flow of over 5,000 cubic feet per second. The river maintains a moderate gradient of about 2 feet per mile as it flows toward its mouth over 350 miles downstream.

Boaters should be prepared for a large river environment with an average velocity of nearly 3 feet per second. The Oconee River at this location represents a mature river system suitable for various paddle craft and motorized vessels. Water conditions here are typical of a large river rather than a placid lake, with consistent current and the characteristics of a Stream Order 7 waterway.

This access point serves as a gateway to exploring a significant portion of the Oconee River system. Paddlers and boaters should have appropriate experience for river travel and be aware of the river's flow characteristics. The elevation change across the entire river system is substantial, though the gradient in this section appears moderate.