On the sunbaked shores of Texas and the cool, craggy beaches of Wisconsin, two very different summer stories are unfolding—each revealing the powerful role that water, and its quality, plays in American life. As families, friends, and solo adventurers flock to the nation’s coasts and lakes for respite, recent reports have cast both celebration and concern over the state of these beloved destinations.
In Texas, the summer of 2025 has brought more than just heatwaves and holiday crowds. According to a report released on August 15, 2025, by the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center, a staggering 94% of coastal Texas beaches tested posed risks to swimmers at least once in 2024 due to high levels of fecal bacteria. The numbers are even more alarming when you dig deeper: nearly half of these beaches had potentially unsafe bacteria levels on at least 25% of the days tested. The Gulf Coast, stretching from the bustling city of Houston down to the quiet, sandy stretches of Boca Chica, saw 84% of its beaches exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Beach Action Value for bacteria—a threshold associated with 32 illnesses per 1,000 swimmers.
These statistics aren’t simply dry numbers—they translate into real risks for Texans hoping to cool off in the Gulf. Over the July 4th weekend of 2025, beaches in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, and South Padre Island, all popular getaways for families and college students alike, reported elevated fecal bacteria levels. Earlier in the summer, Texas Beach Watch data highlighted similar spikes at beaches off Galveston Island, a favorite spot for Houstonians seeking a quick seaside escape.
The situation can turn dire after storms, as seen in the spring of 2025 when Boca Chica beach recorded fecal bacterial levels 240 times the acceptable limit following a flooding event. Heavy rains overwhelm aging sewage systems and send stormwater runoff—laden with bacteria—rushing into the Gulf. As storms grow more intense, the risk of contamination only increases, threatening not just summer fun but public health and local economies that rely on tourism.
“We shouldn’t have to risk our health to enjoy the simple pleasures of a trip to the beach,” said a member of the Environment Texas clean water team, echoing the concerns of many Texans who cherish their annual pilgrimages to the coast. The report underscores the need for urgent investment in wastewater infrastructure. The EPA’s latest survey estimates that Texas will require nearly $19 billion over the next two decades to manage its wastewater and stormwater pollution. Yet the state currently receives less than 20% of this annualized cost from the federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF)—and that funding is now under threat. On July 21, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill that would slash SRF funding by 26%.
Against this backdrop of concern in Texas, another story is playing out hundreds of miles to the north, where the New York Times turned a spotlight on the Midwest’s freshwater treasures. On August 14, 2025, the paper published a feature highlighting six Great Lakes beaches, including two standout destinations in Wisconsin: Nicolet Beach in Door County and several gems along the Bayfield Peninsula on Lake Superior.
For Wisconsinites, summer means days spent on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior—places where the air is crisp, the water is bracing, and the landscapes are dotted with smooth rocks and stretches of white sand. Door County, perched on a peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan, boasts 300 miles of shoreline and 55 beaches. Nicolet Beach, nestled within Peninsula State Park, is a hub of activity. Visitors can rent paddleboards, canoes, or kayaks starting at $22 an hour, and bikes for $16. Park admission is a modest $13 per vehicle, making it accessible for families and solo adventurers alike. Just across the peninsula lies Whitefish Dunes State Park, home to a 1.5-mile-long white-sand beach that draws sunbathers and swimmers from across the Midwest.
Travelers seeking adventure can look further north to the Bayfield Peninsula along Lake Superior, about 70 miles east of Duluth, Minnesota. The area is renowned for its pristine beaches, kayaking opportunities in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and the unique Frog Bay Tribal National Park—the first tribal national park in the United States. Managed by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Frog Bay offers a short hike to sandy shores with sweeping views of five Apostle Islands, blending natural beauty with cultural significance.
“The park is managed by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and offers a short hike to sandy shores with views of five Apostle Islands,” noted the New York Times, underscoring the unique blend of recreation and heritage found here. Travelers can also hop a 25-minute ferry ride from Bayfield to Madeline Island, where Big Bay State Park and Big Bay Town Park provide additional swimming spots in the famously chilly waters of Lake Superior. The round-trip ferry costs $21 per adult and starts at $38 for vehicles—an accessible price for those seeking a day or weekend of adventure.
While the New York Times article has put Wisconsin’s lakeshores in the national spotlight, it’s clear that these destinations have long been cherished by locals. “Nothing says quintessential Wisconsin summer like days spent on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior,” wrote the Times, capturing the spirit of these beloved beaches. The recognition is likely to bring more visitors to the region, giving local businesses a boost and reminding residents of the importance of preserving these natural resources for future generations.
The contrast between Texas and Wisconsin couldn’t be starker. In the Lone Star State, the fight is on to secure funding and upgrade infrastructure to keep beaches safe for swimming. In Wisconsin, the focus is on celebrating and sharing the state’s freshwater riches, while quietly acknowledging the stewardship required to keep them pristine. Both stories, however, are reminders of how deeply Americans value their waterways—whether salty or fresh, warm or frigid.
As summer draws to a close, the fate of these treasured places hangs in the balance. Texans are looking to Congress to reject drastic water infrastructure cuts and commit to the funding needed to protect their beaches. Wisconsinites, meanwhile, are welcoming new visitors drawn by national acclaim, even as they remain vigilant about the health and sustainability of their lakeshores. In both states, the message is clear: the simple joys of a day at the beach—and the complex challenges of keeping those beaches safe—are woven into the fabric of American life.
Whether it’s the Gulf Coast or the Great Lakes, the call to action is the same: protect, invest, and cherish these waters so that future generations can splash, swim, and find solace on their shores.