The Ellen is a river in the English county of Cumbria, flowing from Skiddaw in the Northern Fells to the Solway Firth at Maryport. It was historically in the county of Cumberland. It is approximately 25 miles (40.2 km) in length.
| River Ellen | |
|---|---|
 The mouth of the River Ellen at Maryport harbour. | |
  Location of the mouth within Cumbria | |
| Location | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Skiddaw massif |
| • location | Keswick, Northern Fells |
| Mouth | Maryport harbour |
• location | Maryport, Solway Firth |
• coordinates | 54°42′52″N 3°30′05″W / 54.7145°N 3.5013°W |
| Length | 25 mi (40 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Gill Gooden |
| • right | Dash Beck |
Course
edit
The river rises on the Skiddaw massif,[1] and runs in a generally westerly direction, passing Uldale, Ireby, Boltongate, Baggrow and Blennerhasset parish boundary and Aspatria. From there, it continues southwest (instead of more northwesterly) past Oughterside, Gilcrux, Bullgill, Crosby and Dearham, and skirts the grounds of Netherhall School before flowing into the Solway Firth at Maryport.
Fish
editThe river contains populations of brown trout, eels, lamprey, minnows, salmon, sea trout, and stickleback.[2][3]
Sewage contamination
editIn 2023, it was reported that a pipe owned by the water company United Utilities had discharged sewage into the river for almost 7,000 hours in 2022.[4]
Tributaries
edit- Dash Beck
- Gill Gooden
- Row Beck
References
edit- ^ "West Cumbria Rivers Trust - Ellen". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ "Lake District Fishing - River Ellen". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ "West Cumbria Rivers Trust - Ellen". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ Horton, Helena (21 April 2023). "Sewage-soaked field stops creation of new woodland in Greater Manchester". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
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