Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) Parenthetical (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,177	$ 1,046
Other accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	1,985	2,409
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, not subject to mandatory redemption, par value (in dollars)	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, not subject to mandatory redemption, authorized (in shares)	1,491,900	1,491,900
Preferred stock, not subject to mandatory redemption, issued (in shares)	0	10,288
Common stock, par value (in dollars)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	60,683,947	60,539,624
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	60,273,131	60,526,126
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	410,816	13,498
CLECO POWER [Member]
Current assets
Customer accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	1,177	1,046
Other accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,924	$ 2,349