Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Expected operating lease payments [Abstract]
2012	$ 12,436,000
2013	12,544,000
2014	4,053,000
2015	3,900,000
2016	3,325,000
Thereafter	16,836,000
Total operating lease payments	53,094,000
Line Construction and Maintenance Vehicles [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease terms (years)	7
Operating lease renewal terms (years)	1
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	1,000,000	1,100,000	1,400,000
Contingent rents	100,000	100,000	100,000
Vehicles, Office and Operating Facilities, and Office Equipment [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Operating lease terms, minimum (years)	3
Operating lease renewal terms, maximum (years)	10
Cleco Corporation [Member]
Expected operating lease payments [Abstract]
2012	24,000
2013	4,000
2014	5,000
2015	0
2016	0
Thereafter	0
Total operating lease payments	33,000
Cleco Power [Member]
Expected operating lease payments [Abstract]
2012	12,412,000
2013	12,540,000
2014	4,048,000
2015	3,900,000
2016	3,325,000
Thereafter	16,836,000
Total operating lease payments	53,061,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Railcars [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	1,100,000	1,100,000	1,100,000
Number of groups of railcar leases	2
Cleco Power [Member] | Railcars Group 1 [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Number of railcars	120
Lease terms	lease expires on March 31, 2021
Cleco Power [Member] | Railcars Group 2 [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Number of railcars	121
Lease terms	lease expires on March 31, 2017
Cleco Power [Member] | Line Construction and Service Vehicles [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	400,000	200,000
Operating lease terms, minimum (years)	5
Operating lease renewal terms, maximum (years)	7
Cleco Power [Member] | Vehicles, Office and Operating Facilities, and Office Equipment [Member]
Operating leases, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Lease expenses recognized	0	0	6,500,000
Contingent rents			$ 500,000