Schedule I Financial Statements of Cleco Corporation, Dividends and Equity Contributions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cleco Power [Member]
Dividends and Equity Contributions [Abstract]
Total indebtedness to total capitalization ratio, maximum (in hundredths)	65.00%								65.00%
Unrestricted member's equity	$ 661,500,000								$ 661,500,000
Distribution payments to parent	50,000,000	25,000,000	25,000,000	30,000,000	25,000,000	50,000,000	50,000,000	25,000,000	130,000,000	150,000,000	30,000,000
Non-cash equity contributions to consolidated subsidiaries									0	225,700,000	0
Midstream [Member]
Dividends and Equity Contributions [Abstract]
Distribution payments to parent									159,200,000	32,000,000	0
Non-cash equity contributions to consolidated subsidiaries									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0