The State Department of Environmental Quality has cleared several Nebraska lakes from their E. coli health alert list, including two in the Lincoln area.

Recent tests at Holmes Lake and Branched Oak Lake show acceptable levels of E. coli bacteria.

Cub Creek Reservoir number 12 in Jefferson County and Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County remain on the health alert list for E. coli.

DEQ Spokesman Brian McManus said E. coli levels were highest in the east beach area at Pawnee Lake, the west beach showed significantly lower levels.

McManus said body contact with the water won't harm people, and it's safe to engage in normal recreational activities at the affected lakes, as long as people don't drink the water.

He said fish caught in lakes on the E. coli list are safe to eat.