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 in length.

Etymology

The River Ellen gets its name from Common Brythonic *Alünā. *Alünā has an uncertain etymology but might come from Proto-Indo-European *ala meaning 'water'. Alternatively the name *Alünā could be derived from Alaunos or Alaunā. Names of this type could derive from the Celtic root *al- or *alǝ-, or else from the Brittonic element *al-, "shining, bright". Another suggestion is that the name is derived from the Brittonic root *Alaun-.

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 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