Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 14,540		$ 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
Cash contributions	1,659		1,659
Total equity investment in investee	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
Cleco Power's 50% equity	14,532		14,532
Cleco's maximum exposure to loss	14,532		14,532
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Current assets	2,303		2,289
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,587		22,611
Other assets	4,248		4,256
Total assets	29,138		29,156
Current liabilities	61		91
Other liabilities	12		0
Partner's capital	29,065		29,065
Total liabilities and partners' capital	29,138		29,156
Operating revenue	585	429
Operating expenses	585	429
Income (loss) before taxes	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