Pension Plan and Employee Benefits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 2,952,000	$ 4,580,000
Other Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	643,000	700,000
Assets held-in-trust, noncurrent	0
SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	1,295,000	1,415,000
CLECO POWER | Other Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	700,000	800,000
CLECO POWER | SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	300,000	300,000
Other Subsidiaries | Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 500,000	$ 500,000