(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has issued a health alert for two local southeast Nebraska lakes due to the presence of toxic blue-green algae.

The agency says Iron Horse Trail Lake near Du Bois and Kirkman's Cove Lake, northwest of Humboldt ,tested above the threshold of 8 parts per billion of microcystin, the bacteria in toxic blue-green algae that can cause liver damage in humans.

During health alerts, any activity where you come into contact with water or are at risk of drinking it is banned, like swimming and water skiing, but fishing is still allowed.

The agency says if you visit the lakes be sure to also keep your pets from drinking the water.