A request from Vice President JD Vance led to a temporary rise of the Ohio River water levels to accommodate his family vacation.
On Wednesday, The Guardian reported that a statement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) stated that the Secret Service had contacted the agency to fulfill the request, citing the need for “support” for a “safe navigation” to accommodate Vance’s bodyguards on Caesar Creek Lake.
Newsweek also confirmed the timing: Vance’s 41st birthday. The outlet further reported that the Secret Service stated it “conducted operational planning to ensure that motorized watercraft and emergency personnel could operate safely with appropriate water levels during a recent visit.”
But according to an exclusive anonymous source cited by The Guardian, the temporary rise in water levels wasn’t just about protecting the VP. The outlet reported the adjustment also served to create “ideal kayaking conditions” for Vance and his family.
That same source said that requests for “special releases” are rarely granted when made on behalf of private citizens.
