title: River Ellen
text: # River Ellen
  
  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.
  
  ## Course
  
  The river rises on the Skiddaw massif, 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
  
  The river contains populations of brown trout, eels, lamprey, minnows, salmon, sea trout, and stickleback.
  
  ## Sewage contamination
  
  In 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.
  
  ## Tributaries
  
  * Dash Beck
  * Gill Gooden
  * Row Beck
  