Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,471,000		$ 8,471,000	$ 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	97,000
Katrina/Rita Bond Payments [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	3,359,000		3,359,000	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 administration fees			14,900,000
Restricted cash used by Cleco Katrina/Rita for bond principal payments	(6,800,000)	(7,100,000)
Restricted cash used by Cleco Katrina/Rita for bond interest payments	(3,100,000)	(3,300,000)
Future Storm Restoration Costs [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	4,944,000		4,944,000	5,343,000
Building Renovations Escrow [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 71,000		$ 71,000	$ 0