Litigation, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Disclosures about Guarantees, Off-Balance Sheet Commitments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013 Cleco Corporation [Member] Guarantee Issued to Entergy Mississippi on behalf of Attala [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Obligations Under Standby Letter of Credit Issued to the Louisiana Department of Labor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Attala [Member] Cleco Corporation [Member] Guarantee Issued to Entergy Mississippi on behalf of Attala [Member]	Jan. 31, 2006 Attala [Member] Cleco Corporation [Member] Guarantee Issued to Entergy Mississippi on behalf of Attala [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Evangeline [Member] Cleco Corporation [Member] Guarantee Issued to Entergy Mississippi on behalf of Attala [Member]	Apr. 12, 2012 Evangeline [Member] Cleco Corporation [Member] Guarantee Issued to Entergy Mississippi on behalf of Attala [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Louisiana Department of Labor [Member] Cleco Power [Member] Obligations Under Standby Letter of Credit Issued to the Louisiana Department of Labor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 MISO [Member] Cleco Power [Member] Obligations Under Standby Letter of Credit Issued to the Louisiana Department of Labor [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
FACE AMOUNT	$ 13,225			$ 500		$ 8,000		$ 3,725	$ 1,000
REDUCTIONS	0	0	0
NET AMOUNT	$ 13,225			$ 500	$ 500	$ 8,000	$ 8,000	$ 3,725	$ 1,000
Percentage of average losses on which letter of credit is based (in hundredths)			110.00%