Although the hellbender has no special status given to it there are still a number of factors which may in the near future change it's status. Agricultural runoff and the acidic runoff from large scale mining operations threaten much of the hellbenders habitat. The most serious threat to the future of the hellbender is the impoudment of rivers and streams for the formation of recreational lakes and hydroelectric facilities. Another threat to the hellbender comes in the form of indiscrimante collecting, for both the pet trade and scientific research (Danch 1996).