River Ellen

River Ellen
The mouth of the River Ellen at Maryport harbour.
Country	United Kingdom
Constituent country	England
Tributaries
- left	Gill Gooden
- right	Dash Beck
Source	Skiddaw massif
- location	Keswick, Northern Fells
Mouth	Maryport harbour
- location	Maryport, Solway Firth
- coordinates	GB 54°42′52″N 3°30′05″W / 54.7145°N 3.5013°WCoordinates: GB 54°42′52″N 3°30′05″W / 54.7145°N 3.5013°W
Length	25 mi (40 km)
Location of the mouth within Cumbria

The Ellen is a river in the English county of Cumbria, running from Skiddaw in the Northern Fells to Maryport harbour. It was historically in the county of Cumberland. It is approximately 25 miles in length.

Course

The river rises on the Skiddaw massif,^[1] and runs in a generally western 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.

Bridge over the River Ellen dividing Baggrow and Blennerasset

Fish, pearls, and pollution

The river gives its name to the region of Allerdale. It contains populations of brown trout, eels, lamprey, minnows, salmon, sea trout, and stickleback.^[2][3] In 2008, pollution entered the river via a tributary and contaminated a three-kilometre stretch, killing many fish.^[4] This river has produced pink freshwater pearls since pre-Roman times.

Tributaries

• Dash Beck
• Gill Gooden
• Row Beck

References

1. "West Cumbria Rivers Trust - Ellen". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
2. "Lake District Fishing - River Ellen". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
3. "West Cumbria Rivers Trust - Ellen". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
4. "News & Star - Fish die in river after pollution is spotted". Retrieved 21 February 2015.