Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss YTD (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
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	$ (29,875)		$ (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	497		1,619
Net current-period other comprehensive income	550	815	3,045	2,364
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(29,325)		(29,325)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(23,619)		(24,741)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	497		1,619
Net current-period other comprehensive income	497		1,619
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(23,122)		(23,122)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(6,256)		(7,629)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53		1,426
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,203)		(6,203)
Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53		102
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	53		102
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)
Cleco Power [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(18,528)		(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	207		727
Net current-period other comprehensive income	260	607	2,153	1,698
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(18,268)		(18,268)
Cleco Power [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning Balance	(12,272)		(12,792)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	207		727
Net current-period other comprehensive income	207		727
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(12,065)		(12,065)
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	(6,256)		(7,629)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			1,355
Net current-period other comprehensive income	53		1,426
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Ending Balance	(6,203)		(6,203)
Cleco Power [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	53		102
Cleco Power [Member] | 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	53		102
Cleco Power [Member] | Regulatory Asset [Member]
Net current-period other comprehensive income
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			(31)
Cleco Power [Member] | 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)