The Swalm is a river in the Dutch province of Limburg, falling under the jurisdiction of Waterschap Limburg. The river has a total length of 45 kilometers, of which approximately 12 kilometers run through Dutch territory before the river crosses into Germany. The catchment area covers 277 km², with 26 km² located within the Netherlands. The total elevation drop along the river is 72 meters, with 12 of those meters occurring on the Dutch stretch.

The Dutch portion of the Swalm, along with parts of its upper reaches, has retained or recovered a natural, meandering course, giving it a character distinct from more heavily engineered waterways. The river winds through the entire municipality of Swalmen, passing directly through the village center.

Paddling on the Swalm is permitted free of charge under Waterschap Limburg's regulations, with no special permission required. This distinguishes it from some other rivers in the region, such as the Roer, which requires prior authorization and is restricted to a specific seasonal window. Paddlers should nonetheless be aware of general guidance applicable to smaller waterways in the Netherlands: exercise caution around weirs and bridges, launch only where bank damage can be avoided, and be mindful that water levels can rise rapidly following heavy rainfall, potentially transforming a modest stream into a significantly more challenging flow within hours.