Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss YTD (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
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (30,497)		$ (32,370)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			1,355
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	586		1,122
Net current-period other comprehensive income	622	(3,249)	2,495	1,549
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(29,875)		(29,875)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(24,205)		(24,741)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	586		1,122
Net current-period other comprehensive income	586		1,122
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(23,619)		(23,619)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,292)		(7,629)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income	36		1,373
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,256)		(6,256)
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(18,833)		(20,421)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			1,355
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	269		520
Net current-period other comprehensive income	305	(3,548)	1,893	1,092
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(18,528)		(18,528)
Cleco Power [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(12,541)		(12,792)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	269		520
Net current-period other comprehensive income	269		520
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(12,272)		(12,272)
Cleco Power [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,292)		(7,629)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income	36		1,373
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,256)		(6,256)
Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	36		49
Interest Expense [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	36		49
Interest Expense [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	36		49
Interest Expense [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	36		49
Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			(31)
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			(31)
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Cleco Power [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			(31)
Regulatory Asset [Member] | Cleco Power [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			$ (31)