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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
years
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jun. 30, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Investment portfolio percentage rated AA or higher   95.00%ava_InvestmentPortfolioPercentageRatedAaAa3AndHigher    
Proceeds from sales, maturities and calls of securities available for sale $ 14,612us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities $ 22,960us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities $ 137,999us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities  
Gross realized gains 3us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains 19us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains    
Purchase accounting adjustments 112us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments 298us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments    
Period of time receiving power, years 32.5ava_ReceivingPowerPeriodOfTimeYears      
Average effective maturity   3 years    
Ecova [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Owners percentage interest       80.20%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ava_EcovaMember
Purchase accounting adjustments $ 112us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ava_EcovaMember
$ 298us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ava_EcovaMember
   
Minimum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract 1 year      
Maximum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract 45 years      
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated amortization period 2 years      
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated amortization period 12 years      
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated amortization period 3 years      
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated amortization period 7 years      
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated amortization period 1 year      
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated amortization period 10 years