Abstract: The SWAN(Simulating Wave Nearshore)wave model is put into use to examine its applicability in Bohai Sea. By means of the experiments of wind-induced ocean wave,we find that the proportionality coefficient α in linear growth term of wind growth source function plays an important role in the process of wave development and changes along with friction velocity (in default SWAN model,it is a constant). Therefore,based on the experiments,we introduce a new formula of α into the linear growth term of wind growth source function in the SWAN model. We experience with the three processes of wind(two cold waves and a south wind)to validate the improvement in the linear growth term. In conclusion,the results from the improved SWAN wave model agree much better with the measurements than those from the previous the SWAN model. The improved SWAN wave model makes a solid foundation for setting up a proper model of wave numerical forecasting in Bohai Sea.