Cambarellus chapalanus has been assessed as Near Threatened. Although it is known from less than 10 locations, with an extent of occurrence of approximately 10,000 km², this species is considered to be abundant throughout its range and able to tolerate habitat that is disturbed and/or polluted. There are a number of threats such as water abstraction and pollution, which are likely to be causing decline in the quality of habitat, however water level fluctuations are part of the natural cycle of the lake and it is unclear whether this species is negatively impacted by natural and anthropogenic water abstraction. Further research is needed to determine the population status and impacts of threats upon this species.

This species is known from the type locality, Lake Chapala, Jalisco and Michoacan states, Mexico (Hobbs 1989). Specimens have been collected from two tributaries joining the lake, and it is also known from small lakes/ large ponds around Lake Chapala, and the eastern and northern parts of the lake. This species has an Extent of Occurrence of 10,000 km² (C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2009).

There is no population information available for this species, however this species has been found in abundance in numerous places throughout its range (C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2010).

This species is known to occur in lakes, ponds and swamps (Hobbs 1989), as well as in a variety of habitats surrounding the lake (C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2010). Lake Chapala is thought to be undergoing natural fluctuations in water levels (M. López-Mejía., F. Alvarez. and C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2009).

Freshwater systems in the states of Jalisco and Michoacan are known to be threatened by pollution, water abstraction, habitat destruction and degradation, and the introduction of non-native species (Contreras-Balderas 2003). Water abstraction is believed to be the main threat to this species ( M. López-Mejía., F. Alvarez. and C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2009); however this species is able to tolerate areas which are polluted and disturbed and is still found in abundance throughout its range (C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2010).

The recovery of Lake Chapala is thought to occur as a natural cycle, and water levels have fluctuated a lot, historically (C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2010). Lake Chapala has refilled to an extent that it cannot be explained by restoration efforts that have redirected water to the lake.

There are no species-specific conservation measures in place for this species. Further research is needed into the abundance of this species, as well as the affects of threats such as water abstraction, pollution, non-native species, habitat destruction and degradation (M. López-Mejía., F. Alvarez. and C. Pedraza-Lara pers. comm. 2009).