Litigation, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Disclosures about Guarantees Balance Sheet Commitments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2006
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	$ 4,225
REDUCTIONS	0
NET AMOUNT	4,225
Cleco Corporation [Member] | Guarantee Issued to Entergy Mississippi on behalf of Attala [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	500
REDUCTIONS	0
NET AMOUNT	500	500
Cleco Corporation [Member] | Guarantee issued to Tenaska Power Services on behalf of Cleco Evangeline [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
NET AMOUNT	1,000
Cleco Power [Member] | Obligations Under Standby Letter of Credit Issued to the Louisiana Department of Labor [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	3,725
REDUCTIONS	0
NET AMOUNT	$ 3,725
Percentage of average losses on which letter of credit is based (in hundredths)	110.00%