It is part of the watershed of the Altamaha River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Alcovy River rises in eastern Gwinnett County, 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Lawrenceville, and flows generally south through Walton, Newton and Jasper counties.

North of I-20, the Alcovy River becomes a lowland swamp for about 4 miles (6 km) before resuming the nature of a Piedmont stream.

The lowland area contains an ecological rarity: the tupelo gum tree.

Largemouth bass, crappie, red breast, bluegill, and channel catfish inhabit the Alcovy.