Embedded Files
SWIMS Interface Link
RESOURCES:
Training Videos - Scroll to bottom of page.
Guide: Sign into SWIM, click on Help & Resources in the blue toolbar and then click on SWIMS User Guide to download it. If you prefer text over videos, it will be very helpful.
Timely SWIMS related news: Stay aware of substantial updates, SWIMS outages, etc. by signing up for Gov Delivery notices. Click here.
WI AIS Partnership Newsletter: Occasionally we'll have SWIMS news in the newsletter, especially as we become aware of improvements or glitches.
Questions? If your questions are program specific (CBCW, PL Biocontrol, Project Red, etc.) contact the statewide program contact. LMPN questions other than those for programs can be directed to your WDNR Regional AIS Biologist.
New in 2025 SWIMS Support Contact for CBCW, CLMN and SWIMS: Lakessupport@uwsp.edu
What Projects should you see in your My Project List when you open SWIMS? Click here.
Data entry for Citizen Training
Link to the programing training form used when you conduct CBCW, CLMN, PLB, and Project RED trainings
How to enter trainings you do for your partners and other citizens.
Lakes and AIS Viewer and Boat Launch Signs Heads Up: This short video explains how the new version of the viewer is showing the boat launch sign logos and a couple related changes from the way things appeared on the old viewer. Consider this video temporary because as of the day Jeanne posted it, 2/24/25, it's unknown if the content reflects how SWIMS and the Viewer work permanently or until further updates are made. We were unable to get close captioning to work with the video. If you need assistance with the content, please contact Lakessupport@uwsp.edu.
Getting set up in SWIMS
Once My WI ID goes into affect, you can disregard the WAMS ID info below.
SWIMS is the Surface Water Integrated Management System, the databased used for all things water by WDNR. Data collected in SWIMS helps with important work like reporting to EPA. Coordinators use it extensively for recording fieldwork events such as CBCW, CLMN, AIS Monitoring, AIS Signage, Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol, and some outreach activities. Anyone who will be entering data or should be accounted for as working on a SWIMS project should have a SWIMS profile. By having a profile in SWIMS a person's fieldwork activities can be reported as being done by them. They are associated with the specific projects they do and can easily be added to new projects at anytime.
LMPN AIS Coordinators and their staff who do not already have a SWIMS profile should go through the following steps for new accounts. Through April 2025 and possibly a few weeks in May, you will still need to get a WAMS ID (directions below), but a transition to the new My WI ID is coming. Information, including how to sign up for this new, more secure sign in system is coming in April. NEW USERS, IF YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL MAY TO DO DATA ENTRY, YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP GETTING A WAMS ID AND DISREGARD REFERENCES TO IT BELOW.
Below is the information needed for SWIMS accounts (aka profiles) for new LMPN staff and LMPN volunteers. LMPN AIS Coordinators with the SWIMS Role "Project Coordinator" can set up their staff and volunteers. See the video below for People - Adding a Profile. If you are a new AIS Coordinator, DNR Regional AIS Biologists can set up your profile and give you the Project Coordinator role. They also will help to make sure the right projects are added for you.
MyWID Email/ID
Name
Organization
Work email address for staff/personal email if adding volunteers
Work address for staff or home address for volunteers
Work phone for staff or home phone for volunteers
Names of any active grants; easiest for us to find if you use give us the exact name of the grant or grant number
Projects that you should be associated to: Your Regional AIS Biologist should be aware of most of these, if you are not already.
County or Counties covered
For volunteers doing CBCW, CLMN, Project RED and/or WAV, the program coordinators (see the Key Contacts list) give volunteers specific how-to-register information. Everyone who will enter data needs a SWIMS profiles. Profiles are also created for people who may never sign into SWIMS but need to added for fieldwork events as participants. For participant only profiles, there is not need for anyone to create an ID to sign into SWIMS.
MyWID ID: MyWisconsin ID is the State of Wisconsin's identity solution that allows citizens the ability to securely access participating online state services (like SWIMS) and systems using a single user ID and password.
The MyWID Email/ID is used for access to SWIMS. Once register for a MyWID provide the email used to the person setting you up in SWIMS. You do not need to provide the password. Once they add the Username to your profile, you will be able to sign in using the MyWID portal to SWIMS.
Common Reasons and Fixes for SWIMS Sign-in Issues: Click here.
SWIMS Training Series (2024) - click on the links below each title
Each video ends with the recommendation to ask the SWIMS Help Team for help when needed. INSTEAD, please contact your 1) AIS Biologist, 2) the statewide programs Coordinators or 3) Lakessupport@uwsp.edu.
General Overview of the Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System (SWIMS)
A Tour of the Database
People - Adding a Profile
People - Editing a Profile--Early in the video, it's said that you can click on your name in the upper righthand corner of the screen and go to an editing screen for your profile. Unfortunately, this is only possible for those with Project Coordinator and higher roles.
People - Updating your My Projects List
You must have the Project Coordinator role to update your own or others' project lists.
Stations - Tips for how to find stations c
The video shows how to find stations in SWIMS and on the older version of the Surface Water Data Viewer but should still be helpful until it can be remade.
Fieldwork-Adding and Editing--In this video, you're told you can't add additional documents once you save your fieldwork event. However, it is possible as long as you have the SWIMS Project Coordinator role or higher. Click here for how to steps. Unfortunately, staff and partners with External Power Edit can't do these additions.
Pro-tip: If you have opened the editing screen for fieldwork that looks like the original data entry page, make sure it is still showing the correct form. Sometimes there is more than one form available for entering data, and during editing, SWIMS may bring up a form other than the one you used originally. However, the form you need should be in the dropdown to choose.
What Is Resource of Interest (ROI)
https://youtu.be/w-BSi5-Jaf8
Finding and Reviewing a Resource of Interest (ROI)
This video has examples of looking for ROIs using the Observed status. At some point, DNR will be replacing "Observed" with new terminology, but the new terminology will be widely shared once it's decided upon.
https://youtu.be/ujG7b78BhqQ
Adding Documents
Projects - Finding and Managing
SWIMS Video Series Play List
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYkTfJ_LDJZxHmM0vdzJF_jZdi9KWAYS&si=dK3eEUqs8PSj0-_5
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