Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		$ 12,490,000	$ 14,221,000
Diversified Lands Mitigation Escrow Agreement [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		97,000	97,000
Katrina/Rita Bond Payments [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		8,067,000	8,781,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Cleco Katrina/Rita Storm Recover Bond Variance [Abstract]
Restricted cash collected by Cleco Katrina/Rita, net of operating expenses		9,700,000
Restricted cash used for bond principal payments	(7,100,000)
Restricted cash used for bond interest payments	(3,300,000)
Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		$ 4,326,000	$ 5,343,000