Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amortization of post-retirement benefit net income (loss), tax expense (benefit)	$ 178	$ 6	$ 454	$ (6)
CLECO POWER [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amortization of post-retirement benefit net income (loss), tax expense (benefit)	99	(55)	227	(172)
CLECO POWER [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives loss arising during the period, tax expense (benefit)	0	(145)	0	(276)
CLECO POWER [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification, tax expense (benefit)	0	75	0	228
CLECO POWER [Member] | Treasury Rate Locks [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives loss arising during the period, tax expense (benefit)	(11,529)	0	(11,529)	0
CLECO POWER [Member] | Treasury Rate Locks [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification, tax expense (benefit)	(34)	(16)	(103)	(48)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives loss arising during the period, tax expense (benefit)	0	(145)	0	(276)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification, tax expense (benefit)	0	75	0	228
Treasury Rate Locks [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Net derivatives loss arising during the period, tax expense (benefit)	(11,529)	0	(11,529)	0
Treasury Rate Locks [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Cash flow hedges:
Reclassification, tax expense (benefit)	$ (34)	$ (16)	$ (103)	$ (48)