Oconee River at Highway 280 near Mount Vernon
Georgia — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Wheeler County, Georgia on the Oconee River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 02224500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
23 ft
67,021 cfs
Moderate Flood
20 ft
45,285 cfs
Minor Flood
16 ft
24,379 cfs
Action Stage
14 ft
13,000 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
24 ft
Record flooding occurs with widespread inundation of the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. Most of the access road to the boat ramp on the Wheeler County side of the river is flooded. Around a dozen homes on Dead River Road in the south end of Montgomery County are flooded with up to 4 feet of water. Dead River Road will be flooded up to 6 feet deep.
23 ft
Major flooding begins with widespread inundation of the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. Most of the access road to the boat ramp on the Wheeler County side of the river is flooded. Around a dozen homes on Dead River Road in the south end of Montgomery County are flooded with up to 3 feet of water. Dead River Road will be flooded up to 5 feet deep.
22 ft
Significant flooding expands in the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. More of the access road to the boat ramp on the Wheeler County side of the river is flooded. Around a dozen homes on Dead River Road in the south end of Montgomery County are flooded with up to 2 feet of water. Dead River Road will be flooded up to 4 feet deep.
21 ft
Significant flooding continues in the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. The lower portion of the access road to the boat ramp on the Wheeler County side of the river is flooded. Around a dozen homes on Dead River Road in the south end of Montgomery County become flooded. Portions of Dead River Road will be covered by at least 3 feet of water.
20 ft
Moderate flooding begins. Significant flooding occurs in the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. The access road to the boat ramp on the Wheeler County side of the river begins to flood. Around a dozen homes on Dead River Road in the south end of Montgomery County become surrounded with water. A few homes will have some flooding. Portions of Dead River Road will be covered by at least two feet of water.
19 ft
Minor flooding expands further into the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. The boat ramp parking lot is flooded out on the Wheeler County side of the river. More homes on Dead River Road in the south part of Montgomery County become surrounded with water. Some flooding inside the structures is possible. Some portions of Dead River Road are covered by at least a foot of water.
18 ft
Minor flooding expands in the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. A campground and a few out buildings begin to flood several miles south of Mount Vernon. Eleven homes in the Cherokee Sand Ridge subdivision are surrounded by water. Dead River Road becomes flooded and is closed.
17 ft
Minor flooding continues in the woodlands and pastures upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. Some homes on Dead River Road in the south end of Montgomery County become surrounded by water. Water begins to cover lower portions of Dead River Road.
16 ft
Flood Stage is reached. Minor flooding begins in the woodlands...pastures and natural flood plain along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280. Flood waters reach the top of a boat ramp by the bridge on the Wheeler County side of the River.
14 ft
Bankfull conditions occur along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on U.S. Highway 280 bridge.
12 ft
Water backflows into McCoy Lake upstream from the gage. No known damages occur from the overflow. McCoy Lake is a slough which extends 1 mile upstream from the river gage.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 1936 | 25.3 ft | 94,000 cfs |
| Apr 13, 1936 | 25.3 ft | 94,000 cfs |
| Mar 13, 1998 | 23.03 ft | 70,700 cfs |
| Mar 13, 1998 | 23.03 ft | 70,700 cfs |
| Mar 8, 1971 | 23 ft | 70,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Oconee River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Oconee River at Highway 280 near Mount Vernon?
The Oconee River at Highway 280 near Mount Vernon gauge is maintained by USGS (site 02224500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Oconee River at Highway 280 near Mount Vernon?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Oconee River at Highway 280 near Mount Vernon is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 20 feet, and major flooding at 23 feet.
How do I get alerts when Oconee River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Oconee River at Highway 280 near Mount Vernon to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Oconee River at Highway 280 near Mount Vernon gauge located?
The gauge is located in Wheeler County, Georgia at coordinates 32.1913°N, 82.6332°W. USGS site number: 02224500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Automated gauge readings are now available, courtesy of the USGS.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.