Oconee River User’s Guide

The Oconee River Users Guide will be released in the spring of 2019!

From its tiniest headwater streams in Hall County of North Georgia to its ultimate union with the Ocmulgee to form Georgia’s mightiest river in the Altamaha, the Oconee River cuts a path through east central Georgia and through the state’s rich cultural and natural landscape. The Oconee River User’s Guide traces the entire length of the river, including the Middle and North forks, detailing little known facts about the river and the communities through which it passes–more than 300 miles of stories. 

In detailing points of interest identified by mile marker and GPS coordinates, the guide tells the story of our relationship to the river from precolonial days to the present. From 1780 grist mills at Hurricane Shoals in Jackson County to the wrecks of circa-1890 steamboats in Laurens County to modern day hydro-power dams in Putnam County, the User’s Guide takes you on a page-turning trip that will leave you longing to explore the river. Meanwhile, beautiful full-color photography throughout brings the river to you.

With this handbook, river explorers will find all the information needed to embark on an Oconee River journey, including detailed maps, put in/take out suggestions, fishing and camping locations, mile-by-mile points of interest, and an illustrated natural history guide to help identify animals and plants commonly seen in and around the river.