Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Hyco River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Hyco River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
The Hyco River is a tributary of the Dan River, which is a tributary of the Roanoke River. All three rivers flow through the U.S. states of North Carolina and Virginia. In Person County, North Carolina the Hyco River is impounded by a dam, forming Hyco Lake. The main part of the river flows through Allensville, North Carolina (a township of Roxboro), on Gentry's Ridge and Mill Creek roads as it flows into Virginia townships such as Alton, Virginia, and Cluster Springs, Virginia, then combining with the Dan River.
According to the USGS the Hyco River has been known by the variant names Hicootomony Creek, Hy Coyee River, Hyco Creek, and Hyco-o-tee River.