River Ellen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Ellen |
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The mouth of the River Ellen at Maryport harbour.
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 Location of the mouth within Cumbria
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Skiddaw massif Keswick, Northern Fells |
| River mouth | Maryport harbour Maryport, Solway Firth 54°42′52″N 3°30′05″W / 54.7145°N 3.5013°W |
| Length | 25 mi (40 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Ellen is a river in England, located in the county of Cumbria. It begins high up on the Skiddaw mountains and flows all the way to the Solway Firth at Maryport. This river is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) long.
The River's Journey
The River Ellen starts its journey on the Skiddaw mountain range. From there, it generally flows towards the west.
Along its path, the river passes by several towns and villages. These include Uldale, Ireby, Boltongate, and Aspatria.
After Aspatria, the river turns to flow southwest. It continues past places like Oughterside, Gilcrux, and Dearham. Finally, the River Ellen reaches the Solway Firth at Maryport.
What Lives in the River Ellen
The River Ellen is home to many different kinds of fish and other water creatures. It's a great place for wildlife!
Here are some of the animals you might find in the river:
- Brown trout: A popular fish known for its spots.
- Eels: Long, snake-like fish that can live in both fresh and salt water.
- Lamprey: An ancient type of fish without jaws.
- Minnows: Small, common fish often found in rivers.
- Salmon: Famous for swimming upstream to lay their eggs.
- Sea trout: Similar to brown trout, but they spend part of their lives in the sea.
- Stickleback: A small fish named for the sharp spines on its back.
River Branches
Rivers often have smaller streams or rivers that flow into them. These are called tributaries. They add more water to the main river.
The River Ellen has a few tributaries that join it along its course:
- Dash Beck
- Gill Gooden
- Row Beck
