Overview

• On August 1, at the Secret Service’s request, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased outflow from Lake Caesar Creek into the Little Miami River to ensure that motorized security boats could navigate for Vice President Vance’s family kayak trip.
• Corps officials said the adjustment complied with routine operational criteria, caused no downstream harm, and followed standard protocols with prior community notifications.
• A Secret Service reconnaissance mission revealed one local public safety boat ran aground, highlighting that initial water depths were too low for safe operations.
• Ethics experts condemned what they see as preferential use of taxpayer-funded infrastructure as agencies like the National Park Service face deep budget cuts.
• The vice president’s office has largely declined to comment and a spokesperson stated Vance was not informed of the water-level change.