Ellsworth Falls is a Class I-II rapid on the Union River in Hancock County, Maine, at the village of Ellsworth Falls just upstream of the city of Ellsworth, opening a short, easy run down to Ellsworth.
The falls
The river here has long been harnessed. A 1910 U.S. Geological Survey report describes two dams at Ellsworth Falls with 25 feet of combined head, separate from the 60-foot dam downstream at Ellsworth. Below the Route 1A bridge, a wave train forms with a hole in the middle of the channel.
Getting there
Paddlers put in at the southeast corner of the Route 1A bridge and take out at the cove at Pump House Point, where there's room for about three cars. The pump building itself is private property, so land at the cove. The shuttle between the two is a short walk along Shore Road.
When to go
No dedicated gauge is tied to this reach. A small warm-up rapid upstream washes out above about 4,000 cfs, based on a 2019 trip report.
On site
Poison ivy grows by the take-out. Portage routes and swimming rules are not documented.
Nearby
Sullivan Falls is about 11.5 miles away, Goose Falls about 23.3 miles and Ayers Falls on the Penobscot River about 24.1 miles.
Distances are straight-line.