Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 14,541		$ 14,541		$ 14,540
Oxbow Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage (in hundredths)			50.00%
Ownership percentage by other parties (in hundredths)			50.00%
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Current assets	2,039		2,039		1,814
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,823		22,823		23,029
Other assets	4,661		4,661		4,248
Total assets	29,523		29,523		29,091
Current liabilities	458		458		26
Partner's capital	29,065		29,065		29,065
Total liabilities and partners' capital	29,523		29,523		29,091
Operating revenue	510	294	939	676
Operating expenses	510	294	939	676
Income (loss) before taxes	0	0	0	0
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Purchase price	12,873		12,873		12,873
Cash contributions	1,659		1,659		1,659
Total equity investment in investee	14,532		14,532		14,532
Comparison of carrying amount of assets and liabilities to maximum loss exposure [Abstract]
Oxbow's net assets/liabilities	29,065		29,065		29,065
Cleco Power's 50% equity	14,532		14,532		14,532
Cleco's maximum exposure to loss	14,532		14,532		14,532
Maximum [Member] | Subsidiaries Less Than 100% Owned by Diversified Lands LLC, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 100		$ 100