It rises in the Hohes Moor near Mulsum [de; nds; nl] (a part of Kutenholz) on the Stade Geest in the bifurcation area with the Oste.

Because of its very natural river scenery and its biodiversity, the floodplains of the upper reach and the meadows near Stade are protected for landscape conservation.

Since the completion of the Schwingesperrwerk, a flood barrier near the mouth of the river in 1971, all places at the Schwinge are protected better against storm surges.

From the Late Middle Ages until the 1950s the Schwinge was used for the transport of goods with smack-like ships called "Ewer [da; de; nds]".

During dredging of the Schwinge and the Hansehafen countless historic artefacts were found, including famous Ulfberht swords from the 8th to 12th century.