Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of equity method investments [Abstract]
Total equity investment in investee	$ 14,540		$ 14,540		$ 14,540
Oxbow Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by other parties (in hundredths)			50.00%
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's maximum exposure to loss	14,532		14,532		14,532
Summarized financial information [Abstract]
Current assets	2,396		2,396		2,289
Property, plant and equipment, net	22,568		22,568		22,611
Other assets	4,210		4,210		4,256
Total assets	29,174		29,174		29,156
Current liabilities	109		109		91
Partners' capital	29,065		29,065		29,065
Total liabilities and partners' capital	29,174		29,174		29,156
Operating revenue	426	510	1,011	939
Operating expenses	426	510	1,011	939
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
Cleco Power [Member]
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]
Cleco Power's 50% equity	$ 14,532		$ 14,532		$ 14,532
Cleco Power [Member] | Oxbow Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity, ownership percentage (in hundredths)			50.00%