Debt (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011	Jan. 27, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt outstanding	$ 0			$ 150,000,000
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt outstanding	1,400,000,000			1,400,000,000
Long-term debt due within one year	12,683,000			12,269,000
Long-term debt decreased	11,900,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt outstanding	0			0
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt outstanding	1,400,000,000			1,400,000,000
Long-term debt due within one year	12,683,000			12,269,000
Long-term debt decreased	6,900,000
Bank Term Loan [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term debt outstanding				150,000,000
Issuance date	February 2010
Interest rate, prior to extension			LIBOR plus 2.75%
Maturity date , prior to extension	February 2011
Maturity date, subsequent to extension	Aug. 19, 2011
Interest rate option 1, subsequent to extension		LIBOR plus 2.50%
Interest rate option 2, subsequent to extension		ABR plus 1.50%
Repayment of debt		150,000,000
Accrued interest as part of repayment		600,000
Katrina/Rita Storm Recovery Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt due within one year	12,700,000			12,300,000
Scheduled principal payment	6,300,000
Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of credit facility draws	$ 5,000,000