US Vice President JD Vance is currently under fire for allegedly using a team of Army Corps of Engineers to raise the water level of Little Miami in Ohio, effectively flooding the river. As for why the engineers did this, fingers are pointing to how JD Vance wanted to go on a boating or kayaking trip with his family, and that increasing the Ohio River’s water level would help him achieve that goal.
The incident supposedly took place on the south-western part of the Little Miami River in Ohio around August 2, which is also JD Vance’s birthday. Undisclosed sources from The Guardian have confirmed that the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) received a request from the US Secret Service to increase the water level of Little Miami to “support safe navigation,” apparently. It’s not clear whether the engineers knew JD Vance would use it for his birthday boating trip.
USACE diverted the outflow of the Crasar Creek Lake to essentially flood Little Miami so that “ideal kayaking conditions” could be created. It’s worth noting that this flooding or water-level increase was temporary, though it’s not clear what negative side effects took place, especially to areas downstream. Still, a USACE spokesperson had a statement on the matter:
“It was determined that the operations would not adversely affect downstream or upstream water levels. Downstream stakeholders were notified in advance of the slight outflow increase, which occurred August 1, 2025,” says Gene Pawlik of USACE, transcript courtesy of The Guardian
The recent water-level increase is also not the first time Little Miami was deliberately flooded. USACE occasionally increases the water level through outflows and water diversions, sometimes to accommodate public events. However, these incidents are properly documented with transparency, along with a public announcement of the release or the water level increase due to risk factors. It appears no such wide public announcement was made on or before JD Vance’s birthday and alleged kayaking trip.
Using Tax Dollars for Vacations & Birthdays is the New Norm?
Despite the lack of immediate or apparent negative effects in downstream regions, many people online still blasted JD Vance for misusing public infrastructure– often maintained by tax dollars– for such a personal event. Some have criticized JD Vance for one of the worst alleged abuses of power so far in the current administration.
“Trump says Epstein is a hoax. Meanwhile, JD Vance just had the Army Corps raise the water level of a damn river… for a birthday kayak trip. These guys aren’t just corrupt they’re cartoon villains,” according to @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social
“Imagine if that happened during the Obama years. It would be the biggest news of the year,” wonders carlosortegap
“Completely unnecessary when all they needed to do is put Vance in the water,” jokes weetabix_su
It also appears that this new trend of politicians using taxpayer money to fund their celebrations and events is gaining popularity. US President Donald Trump notably requisitioned a military parade during his birthday in June, and this cost US taxpayers approximately $45 million. It’s not clear how much JD Vance’s birthday kayaking cost the US taxpayers, and while it’s likely less compared to a military parade, some US citizens are still fuming over these personal expenses paid for with public funding.
“How should we use my tax dollars? National Park rangers or raising the water level for an oligarchs,” fumes thinkB4WeSpeak
“It’s a big club but we ain’t in it,” pickledeggmanwalrus
