 if he can get them out of the way of the upcoming dam demolition. Hellbenders are a protected species under North Carolina law. It's either this or they're going to get washed away or buried. Environmental groups Mountain True and American Rivers are leading the dam removal and hellbender relocation. When the dam comes down, the Watauga River will flow freely once again and return to its natural state. Mandy Hill is the Watauga Riverkeeper.