Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 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%
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
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Current assets	2,182		2,182		1,814
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,698		22,698		23,029
Other assets	4,254		4,254		4,248
Total assets	29,134		29,134		29,091
Current liabilities	69		69		26
Partner's capital	29,065		29,065		29,065
Total liabilities and partners' capital	29,134		29,134		29,091
Operating revenue	856	450	1,795	1,125
Operating expenses	856	450	1,795	1,125
Income (loss) before taxes	0	0	0	0
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