Port Washington South Beach

Port Washington, Wisconsin

Located just South of the WE Energies power station on Wisconsin Street. Port Washington’s South Beach provides visitors with a long, sandy beach to take in beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Individuals wishing to launch kayaks or kite boards can do so at the location as well. The beach, although frequently used, allows ample space to spread out for those wishing to enjoy the natural sights and sounds of the lakeshore.

The parking area provides spaces for approximately 20 vehicles and allows walking access to the city’s avian sanctuary and Coal Dock Park to the north of the powerstation. Coal Dock Park was where barges once docked to unload coal that was used to generate electricity at the station. Today, the revitalized park allows visitors to enjoy views and refreshing lake breeze.

Restrooms- Porta-Potty available in the parking area during summer months

Hours- 6am-10pm year round
Dogs- Leashed dogs may visit the beach, owners are responsible for cleaning up pet waste.

No alcoholic beverages or fires are allowed on the beach or in the parking area.
Please read and obey all posted regulations during your visit.

Please read and obey all posted regulations during your visit.

Prior to your day at the beach, be sure to check the local Weather Forecast at https://www.weather.gov/mkx/ and pay attention to changing weather and water conditions.

Water Quality
  • Meets water quality standards

  • Current Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on June 7th, 2023. Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on June 7th, 2023 at 10:37 AM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  
Monitoring Frequency

Port Washington South Beach is sampled weekly from May 30th to September 3th.

Source Information

Heath Units in Wisconsin test beaches from May through September. When sample results are posted on the Wisconsin Beach Health website, Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates Swim Guide.

Recreational public beaches in Wisconsin are tested May through September. High priority beaches are sampled at least five times per week. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml or when the geometric mean of samples collected over a 30-day period exceeds 126 E. coli / 100 ml. Medium priority beaches are sampled at least twice per week. Low priority beaches are sampled at least once per week. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml. All beaches will be closed if E. coli in a single sample exceeds 1,000 / 100 ml.

In the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency has two sets of recommendations for freshwater and marine beaches. A single sample at a freshwater beach should not exceed 235 E. coli / 100 ml of water. A single sample at a marine beach should not exceed 104 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a freshwater beach should not exceed 126 E. coli / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a marine beach should not exceed 35 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. States may choose to use this standard or they may substitute a standard that is "as protective as" the EPA's recommendation. The Beach Act is the nation's primary beach protection law.

Read more
Water Quality Graph

Port Washington South Beach

Port Washington, Wisconsin

Water Quality
  • Meets water quality standards
  • Current Status
  • This status is based on the latest sample, taken on June 7th, 2023. Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on June 7th, 2023 at 10:37 AM.
For water quality icon legend, click:  

Located just South of the WE Energies power station on Wisconsin Street. Port Washington’s South Beach provides visitors with a long, sandy beach to take in beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Individuals wishing to launch kayaks or kite boards can do so at the location as well. The beach, although frequently used, allows ample space to spread out for those wishing to enjoy the natural sights and sounds of the lakeshore.

The parking area provides spaces for approximately 20 vehicles and allows walking access to the city’s avian sanctuary and Coal Dock Park to the north of the powerstation. Coal Dock Park was where barges once docked to unload coal that was used to generate electricity at the station. Today, the revitalized park allows visitors to enjoy views and refreshing lake breeze.

Restrooms- Porta-Potty available in the parking area during summer months

Hours- 6am-10pm year round
Dogs- Leashed dogs may visit the beach, owners are responsible for cleaning up pet waste.

No alcoholic beverages or fires are allowed on the beach or in the parking area.
Please read and obey all posted regulations during your visit.

Please read and obey all posted regulations during your visit.

Prior to your day at the beach, be sure to check the local Weather Forecast at https://www.weather.gov/mkx/ and pay attention to changing weather and water conditions.

Monitoring Frequency

Port Washington South Beach is sampled weekly from May 30th to September 3th.

Source Information

Heath Units in Wisconsin test beaches from May through September. When sample results are posted on the Wisconsin Beach Health website, Milwaukee Riverkeeper updates Swim Guide.

Recreational public beaches in Wisconsin are tested May through September. High priority beaches are sampled at least five times per week. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml or when the geometric mean of samples collected over a 30-day period exceeds 126 E. coli / 100 ml. Medium priority beaches are sampled at least twice per week. Low priority beaches are sampled at least once per week. They are posted when a single sample exceeds 235 E. coli / 100 ml. All beaches will be closed if E. coli in a single sample exceeds 1,000 / 100 ml.

In the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency has two sets of recommendations for freshwater and marine beaches. A single sample at a freshwater beach should not exceed 235 E. coli / 100 ml of water. A single sample at a marine beach should not exceed 104 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a freshwater beach should not exceed 126 E. coli / 100 ml of water. The geometric mean of 5 samples from a marine beach should not exceed 35 Enterococci / 100 ml of water. States may choose to use this standard or they may substitute a standard that is "as protective as" the EPA's recommendation. The Beach Act is the nation's primary beach protection law.

Read more
Water Quality Graph

  Beach Location Water Quality
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Port Washington, Wisconsin
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