If a summer swim is your idea of the perfect escape, you might want to double-check the local conditions before you jump in. A new study by Simmrin Law Group took a deep dive (pun intended) into which U.S. states pose the biggest hazards for swimmers—and the results are a little alarming.
Using data on impaired water bodies, storm history, and drowning incidents, they ranked every state based on a “hazard score” out of 100. Spoiler alert: it’s not just coastal states making the danger list.
Quick note: What does “impaired water body” mean?
It’s a term used when a lake, river, or beach fails to meet water quality standards for safe activities like swimming or fishing. That could mean anything from harmful bacteria to toxic runoff or dangerous algal blooms. Not something you want to be paddling through.
Now, let’s start from the least risky of the top ten and work our way to the most hazardous.
#10. Kansas – Hazard Score: 40.6
Kansas might not be known for its beaches, but it still managed to crack the top ten. All of its assessed water bodies were labeled “impaired,” earning it a full 40/40 in that category. Fortunately, the state had just one major storm during the study period and zero reported drownings, which kept its total score just low enough to round out the list.
#9. Utah – Hazard Score: 41.4
Utah also had a perfect (but not in a good way) 40/40 for impaired water bodies, but only reported one drowning incident between 2010 and 2020. No storms helped it slightly edge past other states, but if you’re heading to a lake here, you may want to read those water quality reports first.
#8. Montana – Hazard Score: 44.0
Another landlocked state, Montana, had every assessed water body listed as impaired, but, like Utah, had no storm activity and relatively few drownings (just four in ten years). Still, its high impairment score makes it one to watch.
#7. Connecticut – Hazard Score: 48.0
Don’t let the picturesque coastal charm fool you; Connecticut scored a full 40 for impaired waters. It fared better in the storm and drowning categories, but that water quality rating might make you pause before your next beach day.
#6. Wisconsin – Hazard Score: 53.8
As a Wisconsinite, I hate to see this one. While the state had no major storms in the study window, it did have 33 drowning incidents, one of the highest tallies on this list. That, combined with a moderate score for water impairment, landed it in sixth place.
#5. Washington – Hazard Score: 55.6
Despite recording zero major storms over the ten-year study period, Washington still made the top five due to a high drowning rate (15 deaths) and an 89% impairment rate for assessed water bodies. A quiet forecast isn’t always a safe one, it seems.
#4. Ohio – Hazard Score: 55.8
Ohio only had one water body assessed, and it was impaired, giving it a 100% fail rate. Combined with 52 storms and 10 drowning incidents, the Buckeye State earned its place as one of the riskiest spots to swim.
#3. New York – Hazard Score: 58.1
With five out of six assessed water bodies deemed impaired, 127 storms, and 14 drownings, New York racks up risk points across the board. Whether you’re swimming upstate or at one of the city’s beaches, it’s worth paying attention to warnings.
#2. Tennessee – Hazard Score: 58.6
Tennessee’s water quality report card was straight Fs; every assessed water body was impaired. Add in 108 storms and 10 drowning deaths, and you’ve got a perfect storm (literally) of swimming dangers.
#1. Florida – Hazard Score: 74.3
No surprise here. Florida tops the list with the most storms (a whopping 414), the highest number of drowning incidents (30), and a water impairment rate of 36%. Sunshine State…more like caution flag central. Beautiful beaches, yes, but also a lot of hazards lurking under the surface.
If this list has you second-guessing that lakeside dip, you might want to check out the best states for a summer road trip, my roundup of the most beautiful cities in each state, or even the ultimate list of travel-friendly clothing to pack for your next getaway. And if safety is top of mind, don’t miss the most dangerous places to travel in 2025—some of them might surprise you.