How is Climate Change Impacting Our Favorite Summer Vacation Spots?

When the bell rings on the first day of summer, people take off, whether that’s to go somewhere exotic, somewhere familiar, or just cuddle up at home. If one is to travel, “The 10 Most Popular Summer Destinations in the U.S., According to Tripadvisor” by Mike Kaplan recommends ten summer vacation spots in the US, seven of which involve the ocean. In addition to running to the coast, many families will travel to lakehouses secluded from the bustling of cities. In short, as soon as summer vacation hits, people love to go to the water. But as the global climate continues to shift on account of global warming, how are these fun summer destinations, maybe lifelong traditions, starting to shift?

Ten years ago, the North American Lake Management society published an article, “Climate Change Impacts On Lakes.” The prediction stated,“There may be increased flooding, pollutant transport, sediment erosion, and extended droughts from more frequent extreme events.” Just this past summer, the Guadalupe River in Texas flooded, killing over a hundred people, including 27 young girls from Camp Mystic. As the world continues to face the effects of ongoing climate change, society must be wary about how bodies of water nearby are going to react to changes in climate. According to ABC News’ article “These are the factors that contributed to the extreme Texas flooding,” “A ‘worst case scenario’ of meteorological events combined with dryness and topography of the landscape in central Texas contributed to the weekend's extreme flash flooding…” meaning that Texas’s climate, which has changed as a result of global warming, merged with torrential downpours caused by climate change, resulting in river flooding. Yet, no one expected the Guadalupe River to flood, which resulted in the Camp Mystic tragedy.

Texas is not isolated in increased water levels or unpredictable weather. Sea levels have continued to rise as icebergs melt, causing “flooding, shoreline erosion, and hazards from storms,” according to “Climate Change: Global Sea Level” from Climate.gov. Cape Cod is no exception to rising sea levels. With 4 to 6 million visitors every summer, people have had to be more aware about how the shifts to the water affect the shark population, visits to the beach, and erosion in the area. 

As the Commonwealth Beacon said in its article “‘Water doesn’t know property lines’: Where Massachusetts’s climate and housing crises meet,” “Groundwater is rising, low-lying areas are regularly flooding, and the ocean is slowly turning some peninsulas into islands, but there’s nothing like a house toppling into the sea to drive the point home: plan or paddle.” This article advises residents on the Cape and Nantucket to plan for the erosion that unavoidably occurs during the winter, especially for homes close to the edge of the ocean. These rising water levels are merciless in the destruction of homes, shrinking previously sandy beaches into rocky outcroppings piled with seaweed. Furthermore, as the water temperatures change, sharks have begun to creep towards beaches more often. With several great white shark sightings at the Cape this summer, beach-goers need to be alert for shark activity, especially while venturing out into deeper water.

But Texas rivers and Massachusetts beaches are not the only places feeling the effects of climate changes. Erosion affects lakes as well, with many lakes enforcing rules about how close new houses can be built to the lake since they anticipate erosion in the coming years. Additionally, at least with the Great Lakes, “The past few years … have shown notable increases toward the top of the [water level] historical range” according to “Climate Change Indicators: Great Lakes Water Levels and Temperatures” from the EPA. With increased water levels, residents at lakes have to be mindful about heavy rainfall and how it could affect the water level even further. If residents have docks or homes on the water, they need to be cautious about how erosion and rising water will impact the stability and integrity of the structure.

While rivers, lakes, and oceans have been popular summer destinations for a long time, people need to remain vigilant about how the shifting state of our planet is affecting these plans. Heading to the beach or relaxing on a dock is still perfectly safe, but as seen with Camp Mystic, preparation is necessary in case something unexpected happens. So, if you go to a camp by a lake or river, or you have a house near an ocean or a lake, just be aware that your summer vacation spot is likely to change as the climate does. But, as that bell rings on the last day of school, don’t be afraid to go to the water, just anticipate it might not be the same as it has been in past years.